BV  1520  .B75  1920 
Brown,  Frank  Llewellyn, 

1863- 
Plans  for  Sunday  school 

evanqelism  for  pastors. 


Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 


Plans  for  Sunday  School 
Evangelism 


For  Pastors,  Superintendents 
Teachers  and  Parents 


DU.( 


By 
FRANK  l/bROWN 

Cineral  Secretary  World's  Stmday  School  Association 
{American  Section),  and  Superintendent  Biishwick 
Avenue- Central  Sunday  School,  Brooklyn^  New  York 


New  York  Chicago 

Fleming     H.     Revell     Company 

London  and  Edinburgh 


Copyright,  1920,  by 
FLEMING  H.  REVELL  COMPANY 


New  York:  158  Fifth  Avenue 
Chicago :  1 7  North  Wabash  Ave. 
London :  2 1  Paternoster  Square 
Edinburgh :      75     Princes     Street 


To 

MY  WIFE 

whose  helpful  codperatio7t  through 

the  years  has  made  possible 

my  work 


Contents 


J.  The    Sunday    School    Evangelism's 

Chief  Field 9 

II.  Graded  Evangelism  ....  20 

III.  Factors  in  Sunday  School  Evangel- 

ism    32 

IV.  The  Sunday  School  Committee  on 

Evangelism 39 

V.  The  Pastor  as  a  School  Shepherd  .  43 

VI.  The  Superintendent — the  Assistant 

Shepherd 58 

VII.  The  Teacher — the  Under  Shepherd  70 

VIII.  Home  Cooperation  in  Evangelism      .  91 

IX.  Community    Cooperative    Sunday 

School  Evangelism  .        .         .106 

X.  Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  in  Evan- 

gelism         124 

XI.  Before  Decision  Day  .        .         ,165 

XII.  Decision  Day      .         .         .        o        .184 

XIII.  After  Decision  Day  ....  207 

XIV.  Literature    for    Sunday    School 

Evangelism 219 


THE  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  EVANGELISM'S 
CHIEF  FIELD 

IF  it  were  not  for  the  additions  to  the 
Church  from  the  Sunday  School  the 
Church  in  a  few  generations  would  be  non- 
existent. The  annual  increment  from  the  Sun- 
day School  saves  the  Church  from  the  report  of 
steady  losses  in  membership.  In  England  these 
additions  furnish  nearly  eighty  per  cent,  of  the 
new  members  and  in  America  the  proportion  is 
variously  estimated  from  eighty  to  ninety  per 
cent. 

The  old  order  passeth,  and  we  may  as  well 
face  the  fact  that  the  annual  church  revival, 
with  or  without  an  evangelist,  as  a  method  of 
saving  souls  and  recruiting  the  church  rolls,  is 
passing  its  day.  The  reasons  for  this  situation 
are  many. 

The  revival  is  really  an  attempt  to  correct  the 
Church's  blunder  in  not  holding  its  young  peo- 
ple through  the  strategic  teen  years  and  in  per- 
mitting these  young  people  to  drift  away  at  the 
very  time  when  God  speaks  most  directly  and 
persuasively  to  the  life.    These  drifters  become 

9 


10      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

the  religious  derelicts  in  every  community,  and 
a  small  percentage  of  them,  estimated  at  five 
per  cent,  of  the  total,  are  brought  back  to  the 
life  of  the  Church  through  the  church  revival, 
a  method  expensive  both  as  to  money,  time  and 
energy  consumed.  If  one-twentieth  of  this  ef- 
fort had  been  spent  upon  these  folks  before 
they  were  twenty  they  would  have  been  won 
to  a  Christian  life,  wreckage  avoided  and  long 
lives  secured  for  Christian  service. 

The  conditions  of  the  past  have  made  the 
revival  necessary,  and  in  good  degree  it  has 
its  place  to-day.  We  are  still  in  a  transitional 
stage  with  great  numbers  in  the  community 
who  have  slipped  away  from  the  Sunday  School, 
more  especially  before  the  recent  organization 
of  the  Sunday  School  to  meet  the  need  of  the 
teen  years. 

Some  form  of  special  meetings  will  be  always 
necessary  and  helpful  in  deepening  the  Church's 
spiritual  life,  in  closely  relating  that  life  to  its 
Spiritual  Head,  and  in  facing  the  world  to- 
ward its  obligation  for  world  evangelization.  I 
was  myself  converted  in  a  revival  and  was 
brought  up  in  the  atmosphere  of  a  revival 
church.  And  yet  I  cannot  say  that  I  approve 
of  applying  to  all  ages,  and  especially  to  children 
and  young  people,  the  methods  and  arguments 
that  were  aimed  primarily  at  the  adult  sinner. 
The  best  of  our  evangelists  are  recognizing  this 


Evangelism's  Chief  Field  1 1 

and  provide  meetings  where  children  and  young 
people  are  dealt  with  according  to  their  years. 

Dr.  Rowland,  who  was  chairman  of  the 
British  section  of  the  International  Lesson 
Committee,  said :  "  Our  duty  in  the  Sunday 
School  is  to  bring  a  cargo  to  port,  not  a  dere- 
'lict."  Just  here  is  the  true  strategy  of  the 
Church — to  hold  the  whole  life  cargo  for  Christ 
and,  by  statesmanlike  work,  to  prevent  the 
derelicts  which  later  become  the  subjects  of  the 
Church's  serious  effort. 

A  New  Jersey  Church  Board  had  before  it 
two  propositions;  one  to  vote  $1,000  as  the 
share  of  that  church  in  the  expenses  of  an  evan- 
gelist who  was  to  be  jointly  employed  by  the 
churches  of  that  place.  The  other  was  a  re- 
quest to  the  Board  to  vote  $50  for  a  Sunday 
School  workers'  library  that  should  equip  the 
officers  and  teachers  to  hold  and  train  the  schol- 
ars for  Christ.  The  Board  voted  the  $1,000 
and  turned  down  the  request  of  the  teachers. 
In  other  words,  they  put  their  sanction  upon 
rescue  rather  than  prevention. 

This  plan  Is  totally  against  the  trend  in  the 
modern  business  life.  Railroad  companies  and 
manufacturing  establishments  are  finding  it 
more  economical  to  pay  for  instruction  of  em- 
ployees and  the  public  in  avoiding  accident,  and 
in  providing  accident-preventing  appliances, 
than  in  large  outlays  for  damages.     And  the 


1 2      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

State  is  insisting  that  employers  shall  equip 
their  places  with  such  appliances. 

"  To  rescue  was  the  voice  of  yesterday.  To 
prevent  is  the  Divine  whisper  of  to-day."  Mr. 
Moody  has  said,  "  If  we  can  save  one  genera- 
tion we  have  put  the  devil  out  of  business." 
God's  process  is  evolution  not  revolution,  for- 
mation not  reformation. 

The  great  revivalists  are  themselves  deeply 
impressed  with  the  need  of  changing  the  em- 
phasis in  their  work  from  adulthood  to  those 
under  twenty. 

In  one  of  the  Billy  Sunday  meetings  in  Bos- 
ton a  test  was  made  of  the  time  when  the  Chris- 
tian decision  of  those  present  was  made.  There 
were  12,000  present.  Ten  thousand  of  these, 
or  over  eighty  per  cent,  had  decided  before 
twenty  and  9,000  of  them  made  that  decision 
through  the  Sunday  School.  One  thousand  de- 
cided after  twenty  and  before  forty,  thirty-seven 
after  forty,  five  after  fifty  and  one  after  sixty. 
One  of  the  choicest  workers  in  Billy  Sunday's 
force  is  a  lady  who  works  altogether  with 
young  people  and  their  teachers  and  who  came 
to  his  work  from  her  office  as  superintendent 
of  Sunday  School  Evangelism  for  the  New 
York  State  Sunday  School  Association. 

Dr.  Chapman  made  similar  tests  at  the  In- 
ternational Sunday  School  Convention  at  San 
Francisco.     Out   of   4,000    present    3,260    had 


Evangelism's  Chief  Field  13 

made  their  Christian  decision  before  twenty. 
He  was  so  profoundly  impressed  that  he  told 
the  writer  that  it  was  his  purpose  in  his  work 
thereafter  to  stress  the  winning  of  childhood 
and  youth  as  the  finest  strategy  in  evangelism. 

How  fruitful  to  the  Church  is  Sunday  School 
evangelism  is  shown  in  the  report  of  Mr. 
Marion  Lawrance  at  the  International  Sunday 
School  Convention  at  Buffalo.  The  figures  for 
the  quadrennium  showed  that  67,000  schools 
had  observed  Decision  Day  and  that  there  had 
been  1,582,575  additions  to  the  Church  from 
the  Sunday  School,  an  average  of  7,600  for 
every  Sunday  in  the  four  years. 

In  my  own  school  in  Brooklyn,  where  for 
thirty-three  years  we  have  kept  true  to  the 
evangelistic  aim  of  the  Sunday  School,  some 
6,000  have  come  into  the  Church  from  the  Sun- 
day School,  an  average  of  nearly  two  hundred 
per  annum. 

I.  The  Aim  of  Sunday  School  Evangeusm 
The  aim  of  Sunday  School  evangelism,  I  take 
it,  is  to  bring  the  scholar  at  the  earliest  possible 
moment  into  a  conscious  and  intimate  relation- 
ship to  God  as  Father,  to  Christ  as  Saviour  and 
Friend,  and  to  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  and  to 
launch  and  guide  that  life  into  channels  of 
happy  and  fruitful  service. 

Mr.  Trumbull  has  said :  "  The  function  of  the 


14       Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Sunday  School  is  to  grow  souls  possessed  by 
Christ's  passion  to  win  souls.  It  should  be 
keyed  to  the  purpose  of  giving  the  gospel  to 
every  creature." 

Dr.  E.  Y.  Mullins  has  beautifully  said:  "  The 
aim  of  Sunday  School  evangelism  is  the  produc- 
tion or  detection  of  Christian  discipleship  where 
it  does  not  exist,  to  discover  its  symptoms  in 
the  efifort,  motives,  ideals  and  struggles  of  the 
scholar.  We  should  lead  them  to  the  fact  and 
recognition  of  their  ownership  by  God,  to 
choose  Him  who  has  chosen  them  for  His  own. 
We  should  expect  this  recognition  while  young. 
We  should  not  expect  perfect  symptoms  before 
we  reckon  these  scholars  Christians.  Conver- 
sion keeps  a  boy  a  boy  with  10,000  nerves  to 
keep  him  going  and  not  one  to  keep  him  quiet." 

2.    Christ's  Emphasis 

"  And  Jesus  called  a  little  child  unto  him  and 
set  him  in  the  midst  of  them,  and  said,  Verily 
I  say  unto  you.  Except  ye  be  converted,  and  be- 
come as  little  children,  ye  shall  not  enter  the 
Kingdom  of  Heaven." 

Our  work  is  not  primarily  to  rebuild  human 
ruins  but  to  build  lives  into  Christ  from  their 
earliest  years.  This  is  the  line  of  sanest  and 
surest  advance  in  answering  the  prayer  "  Thy 
Kingdom  come."  But  the  Church  of  that  day 
misunderstood.     They  impatiently  rebuked  the 


Evangelism's  Chief  Field  15 

mothers  pressing  toward  Christ  with  their  chil- 
dren. "  Forbid  them  not "  rang  from  His 
lips. 

Mrs.  F.  H.  Burnett  has  said:  "One  genera- 
tion, one  entire  generation,  of  all  the  world  of 
children,  understood  as  they  should  be,  loved  as 
they  ask  to  be,  and  so  developed  as  they  might 
be,  would  more  than  bring  in  the  millennium." 

Dr.  George  W.  Bailey,  than  whom  none  has 
shown  a  greater  passion  for  the  winning  of 
childhood  to  Christ,  has  said :  "  Observation 
and  experience  justify  the  declaration  that  less 
time  and  effort  are  necessary  for  the  winning  of 
twenty  children  to  Jesus  Christ  than  one  adult 
of  say  fifty  years  of  age ;  and,  other  things  being 
equal,  a  child  won  to  Him  at  ten  is  worth  more 
in  the  extension  of  the  Kingdom  than  many 
adults  converted  at  fifty  years  of  age." 

3.  Evangelism  and  Education 
True  education  must  have  for  its  aim  the  dis- 
covering, realizing  and  directing  of  the  spiritual 
possibilities  of  the  child.  The  motiving  of  life 
is  more  important  than  the  assembly  and  com- 
munication of  facts  or  the  ability  to  reason 
logically  from  fact  to  sequence.  Evangelism 
and  education  are  twin  forces  with  one  purpose 
— to  establish  a  right  relationship  to  God  and 
others. 

The  task  in  religious  and  secular  education 


1 6      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

is  therefore  one — to  bring  the  scholar  into  con- 
tact with  the  greatest  dynamic  for  character 
building  and  life  control.  That  dynamic  we 
believe  to  be  Jesus  Christ.  All  the  curricula 
of  the  Sunday  School,  therefore,  should  have 
reference  to  its  value  in  interpreting  Christ  in 
His  life,  His  ideals.  His  Kingdom  and  in  organ- 
izing the  life  of  the  scholar  as  Christ's  partner 
in  the  work  of  community  and  world  redemp- 
tion. 

Nicolas  Murray  Butler  has  said :  "  Education 
is  a  gradual  adjustment  to  the  spiritual  posses- 
sions of  the  race." 

Said  another :  "  Education  is  not  the  training 
of  an  intelligence  but  the  development  and  in- 
spiration of  a  soul." 

Addison  says :  "  What  sculpture  is  to  a  block 
of  marble,  such  is  education  to  a  human  soul." 

Said  J.  P.  Monroe:  "The  question  to  be 
asked  at  the  end  of  an  educational  step  is  not 
'What  has  the  child  learned?'  but  *  What  has 
the  child  become?  '  " 

Every  child  has  a  right  to  an  answer  to  four 
questions :  "  Whence  came  I?  "  "  Whither  am  I 
going?  "  "  What  is  God's  purpose  in  my  life?  " 
"  How  can  I  adjust  myself  to  His  plan?  " 

The  answering  of  these  questions  will  bring 
one  to  the  heart  of  Sunday  School  evangelism. 
And  the  Sunday  School  is  the  institution  which 
through  its  leadership,  lessons,  literature  and 


Evangelism's  Chief  Field  17 

organization  must  most  nearly  meet  this  call 
of  the  child  for  knowledge  and  guidance. 

4.    Sunday  Schooi,  Evangeusm  as  a 
World  Force 

The  most  hopeful  and  fruitful  evangelistic 
factor  in  foreign  missions  is  the  Sunday- 
School.  It  will  be  increasingly  so  as  the  first 
waves  of  evangelistic  effort  in  new  fields,  di- 
rected chiefly  toward  adults,  subside,  and  the 
Church  settles  down  to  its  educational  task. 
Foreign  governments  are  likely  to  gradually 
replace  the  Christian  day  school  with  govern- 
ment directed  primary  schools.  This  will  add 
to  the  responsibility  and  the  opportunity  of  the 
Sunday  School  as  an  evangelistic  and  Christian 
educational  organization. 

This  opportunity  of  the  Sunday  School  is 
heightened  by  the  fact  that  great  religions  like 
Buddhism  have  little  place  for  children  in  their 
scheme.  It  is  the  Christian  Sunday  School  that 
has  brought  light  and  happiness  and  hope  to 
these  four  hundred  millions  of  the  world's  chil- 
dren. Christ's  high  valuation  of  the  child  will 
be  the  winning  factor  in  this  world's  saving. 

The  success  of  the  Christian  Sunday  School 
in  Japan  has  stirred  up  Buddhist  leaders  to  de- 
velop a  great  Buddhist  Sunday  School  cam- 
paign, but  there  is  lacking  the  leadership,  motive 
and  love  dynamic  essential  to  success. 


l8      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

The  evangelistic  possibilities  of  the  Sunday- 
School  are  increased  because  of  the  difhculties 
encountered  by  the  missionaries  in  getting 
adults  to  renounce  their  ancestral  worship.  Said 
a  heathen  mother  as  she  brought  her  child  to 
Sunday  School :  "  Take  her  and  train  her  in 
your  religion.  I  must  die  as  my  ancestors  have 
died." 

A  prominent  missionary  in  Japan  said  to  the 
writer:  "We  cannot  hope  to  win  one  in  ten 
thousand  of  the  adult  Japanese.  We  can  do 
anything  we  want  with  the  children."  And  the 
results  from  the  evangelistic  campaign  which 
was  carried  on  for  several  years  in  Japan  proved 
that  the  larger  number  of  the  adults  who  came 
into  the  Church  had  received  some  primary 
education  in  the  Sunday  School. 

A  missionary  in  China  said :  "  If  we  can  get 
one  million  in  the  Sunday  Schools  of  China  it 
will  mean  one  million  Christians  ten  years 
hence."  The  influence  of  the  Sunday  School 
child  and  of  Sunday  School  literature  upon  the 
home  is  a  large  factor  in  interesting  that  home 
in  Christianity.  Parents  often  come  to  the 
Sunday  School  to  see  what  is  the  secret  of  the 
transformation  in  their  child's  conduct. 

In  India  a  Hindu  said :  "  We  were  not  afraid 
of  you  so  long  as  you  lopped  ofif  the  branches, 
but  when  you  began  with  the  children  then  you 
laid  the  ax  at  the  root  of  the  tree." 


Evangelism's  Chief  Field  19 

And  the  story  is  the  same  in  every  land. 
While  it  saddens  one  to  think  it  so,  the  proba- 
bilities are  that  practically  the  entire  generation 
of  adults  in  foreign  fields  will  die  off  in  their  old 
faiths.  The  strategy  for  to-morrow  is  to  win 
the  children  of  to-day. 

Some  one  has  said  that  God  gives  us  every 
little  while  a  new  generation  that  we  might  win 
it  for  Christ  and  thus  repair  the  mistakes  of  the 
past.  The  method  of  winning  the  world  by 
winning  its  childhood  is  so  sure  that  we  can  say 
that  we  can  win  the  world  in  any  generation 
when  we  zuill  to  do  it  by  gathering  its  children 
and  young  people  into  the  Sunday  School,  and 
infusing  in  the  Sunday  School  the  evangelistic 
passion. 

In  India  and  China  a  very  successful  week  of 
evangelism  has  been  held,  the  purpose  being  to 
train  a  host  of  adults  to  a  message.  The  China 
Sunday  School  Union  has  been  very  active  in 
promoting  this  plan  and  in  training  leaders  in 
conferences  for  the  vitalizing  of  the  religious 
life  of  the  worker.  This  movement  has  ex- 
tended to  Japan  and  Korea.  In  South  America 
Sunday  School  evangelism  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful in  winning  young  people  to  the  Chris- 
tian standard.  A  world-wide  week  of  Sunday 
School  evangelism  is  one  of  the  plans  pushed 
by  the  World's  Sunday  School  Association  to 
hasten  Christ's  conquest  of  all  hearts. 


ir 

GRADED  EVANGELISM 

WE  must  aim  in  the  Sunday  School  for 
graded  evangelistic  education  and 
a  graded  evangelistic  appeal.  To 
proceed  w^ith  the  child  in  developing  his  relig- 
ious experience  as  we  would  with  an  adult  does 
violence  to  the  laws  of  his  mental,  physical  and 
spiritual  Hfe  and  growth. 

We  assume  that  a  child's  reHgious  experience 
may  be  just  as  real  and  satisfying  as  an  adult's. 
The  child's  experience  may  be  the  happiness  of 
a  loyal  allegiance  to  his  Father,  without  long 
and  wilful  lapses  of  disobedience.  The  adult 
may  base  his  experience  upon  the  kiss  of  wel- 
come and  forgiveness  of  the  same  Father  to  his 
prodigal  son  after  the  blasting  experiences  of 
the  far  country.  The  child  may  feel  just  as 
keenly  the  comparatively  slight  wrong-doing 
that  has  brought  a  clouded  vision  of  his  Father's 
face,  as  does  the  adult  in  his  body-racking  sobs, 
and  the  same  cross  avails  for  both. 

It  is  a  mistake  to  test  a  child's  Christian  ex- 
perience by  an  adult  measuring  rod.  It  is  a 
mistake  to  expect  "  tears  of  repentant  grief " 

20 


Graded  Evangelism  21 

from  those  who  have  not  had  the  far  country 
experience.  It  would  be  hypocrisy  on  their 
part  to  pretend  this  in  order  to  satisfy  an  adult 
expectation. 

Let  us  expect  Christ's  redemptive  work  and 
sweet  miracle  of  grace  to  operate  with  those  of 
youngest  years  and  claim  these  children  for 
Him  with  the  very  dawn  of  intelligence.  This 
would  honour  His  plan  and  glorify  Him  more 
than  to  reckon  them  alien  children  until  by  an 
adult  process  they  were  brought  back  to  the 
relationship  of  children  of  the  family. 

All  the  facts  bear  eloquent  witness  to  the  rich 
results  of  graded  evangelistic  education  and  tes- 
tify to  the  quality  and  faithfulness  of  those  who 
have  come  into  conscious  relationship  to  the 
King  and  the  Kingdom  in  very  early  years. 

Bishop  McCabe  said  he  was  converted  at 
eight;  Henry  Drummond  at  ten;  Polycarp  at 
eight.  Multitudes  of  the  strongest  Christians 
have  made  their  decision  between  nine  and 
twelve. 

If  Protestantism  loses  out  it  will  be  because 
it  has  lost  faith  in  the  reality  of  a  child's  relig- 
ious experience  and  because  it  has  not  under- 
stood and  met  the  crises  and  needs  of  the  child's 
and  youth's  developing  religious  experience. 

It  has  been  truly  said  that  these  children  and 
young  people  need  sympathy,  not  criticism. 
We  must  allow  for  immaturities.     A  child  is  as 


22      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

sincere  as  an  average  adult.  They  need  work 
to  express  their  Christian  life  and  that  work  in 
enthusiasm,  unselfishness  of  aim  and  quality, 
will  match  an  adult's.  We  must  believe  in 
them  and  must  not  ask  too  much  or  see  too 
much.  We  must  not  make  the  barrier  higher 
for  children  than  for  adults.  They  should  be 
led  into  a  relationship  of  trust  and  confidence  in 
God. 

We  are  well  aware  that  in  those  years  from 
twelve  to  twenty,  when  individuality  expresses 
itself,  when  choices  and  decisions  are  made  of 
far-reaching  effect  upon  character  and  destiny, 
when  young  people  are  caught  in  the  swirl  of 
emotions  and  impulses  as  yet  uncontrolled,  the 
consciousness  of  sin  and  wrong-doing  is  fre- 
quently very  keen  and  the  soul  suffers. 

This  makes  all  the  more  imperative  a  wise 
adaptation  of  the  material  for  evangelism  so 
that  these  spiritual  variations  growing  out  of 
the  changing  physical,  social  and  mental  devel- 
opment shall  be  adequately  met. 

As  the  Sunday  School  faces  its  evangelistic 
task  it  should  consider:  1.  The  reasons  for 
graded  educational  evangelism.  2.  The  meth- 
ods of  such  education.  3.  Grading  the  evangel- 
istic appeal. 

I.    Reasons  for  Educationai,  Evangewsm 
McKinley  has  said :    *'  Educational  evangel- 


Graded  Evangelism  23 

ism  is  so  teaching  the  gospel  that  those  who  are 
taught  shall  make  proper  choices." 

Dr.  Mullins  says :  "  Evangelism  reckons  with 
the  fact  that  there  are  crises  in  the  life — turning 
points  in  the  will." 

What  are  these  crises  or  turning  points  to- 
ward which  our  educational  program  should  be 
bent? 

Extensive  tests  and  investigations  have  been 
made  from  time  to  time  by  religious  educators 
and  evangelists  to  determine  the  ages  when 
lasting  Christian  decisions  are  usually  made. 
These  investigations  have  been  in  some  in- 
stances charted. 

Certain  general  deductions  can  be  stated. 
The  years  of  general  decision  are  twelve,  six- 
teen and  nineteen. 

The  chart  published  by  the  World's  Sunday 
School  Association,  showing  percentage  of  con- 
versions in  each  year  of  age  from  six  to  thirty- 
six,  based  upon  the  experience  of  272  men, 
gives  the  average  age  of  conversion  as  16.4 
years. 

In  a  record  of  1,000  British  and  Canadian 
Sunday  School  members,  128  were  converted 
between  the  ages  of  eight  and  twelve;  392  be- 
tween thirteen  and  sixteen;  322  between  seven- 
teen and  twenty;  118  between  twenty-one  and 
twenty-four;  40  between  twenty-five  and 
sixty.     The  percentages  show  that  fifty-two  per 


24      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

cent,  confessed  Christ  before  they  were  sixteen 
years  of  age;  eighty-four  per  cent,  before 
twenty;  ninety-six  per  cent,  before  twenty- 
four;  four  per  cent,  above  twenty-four. 

Dr.  John  R.  Mott  gives  these  figures  for  1,000 
conversions : 


Under  20  years  of  age,  548 
Between  20  and  30,  337 
Between  30  and  40,  96 
Between  40  and  50,  15 
Between  50  and  60,  3 

Between  60  and  90,  1 


The  first  776  graduates  of  Drew  Theological 
Seminary  were  converted  at  an  average  age  of 
16.4,  and  the  largest  number  made  the  decision 
in  their  sixteenth  year. 

Five  hundred  and  twenty-six  officers  of  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  in  the  British  Provinces  declare 
that  they  received  their  deepest  religious  im- 
pressions at  thirteen.  Starbuck  found  the  aver- 
age age  of  conversion  of  eighty-six  women, 
whose  lives  he  had  studied,  to  be  13.8. 

A  careful  study  of  the  rehgious  experiences 
of  1,784  men  and  women  reveals  an  average 
conversion  age  of  sixteen. 

Of  500  Christian  workers  examined  481  re- 
«:eived  that  call  before  they  were  fifteen. 

Out  of  thirteen  candidates  for  the  ministry 


Graded  Evangelism  25 

who  in  a  Methodist  Conference  were  asked  to 
tell  the  story  of  their  conversion,  ten  were  con- 
verted at  thirteen,  one  at  fifteen,  one  at  sixteen 
and  one  at  seventeen. 

Ninety  per  cent,  of  character  is  fixed  before 
twenty-three  years  of  age;  seventy  per  cent,  of 
all  conversions  occur  before  twenty  and  ninety- 
six  per  cent,  of  them  under  twenty-five. 

Bishop  Daniel  A.  Goodsell  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  says: 

"  Whenever  any  audience  in  an  annual  con- 
ference is  asked  to  indicate,  by  rising,  the  num- 
ber who  acknowledged  Christ  before  fifteen 
years  of  age,  two-thirds  of  the  congregation  will 
rise.  When  those  who  confessed  Christ  be- 
tween fifteen  and  eighteen  are  asked  to  join 
those  standing,  five-sixths  of  those  present  will 
be  on  their  feet.  The  number  who  confess 
Christ  after  twenty-one  is  very  small.  Thus 
the  life  of  the  Church  depends  upon  developing 
Christ  in  the  children  more  than  on  the  con- 
version of  the  mature." 

Yet  with  all  the  splendid  possibility  of  win- 
ning our  scholars  to  Christ  while  they  are  mem- 
bers of  the  school  five  out  of  seven  pass  out 
without  having  confessed  Christ.  Mr.  Law- 
rance  says  that  twenty  per  cent,  become  Chris- 
tians while  in  the  Sunday  School,  twenty  per 
cent,  after  they  leave  the  school,  while  sixty  per 
cent,  make  no  confession. 


26      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

2.    Methods  of  Graded  Educational  Evangelism 
(a)     T}%e  graded  lessons  or  the  graded  uniform 
lessons. 

The  foundation  for  Christian  decision  and 
Christian  character  is  the  Word  of  God  so 
taught  that  it  is  understood.  The  material  of 
the  graded  lessons  has  been  selected  with  spe- 
cial reference  to  its  effect  upon  religious  nur- 
ture. Its  aim  is  to  so  assemble  the  truth  that 
it  shall  meet  the  religious  need  of  the  pupil  at 
each  stage  of  his  progress. 

(6)     The  graded  program. 

Where  a  school  is  departmented  it  will  be 
possible  to  so  build  the  program  for  each  Sun- 
day as  to  songs,  Scripture,  truth  impression  and 
lesson  expression  as  to  be  within  the  range  of 
the  pupil's  understanding  and  enable  him  to 
appropriate  it  for  his  own  needs. 

(c)     Graded  supplemental  or  memory  work. 

The  graded  lessons  provide  an  outline  of 
memory  work,  hymns,  pivotal  verses,  important 
passages,  which  should  be  impressed  by  the 
teacher  or  the  departmental  superintendent, 
through  drill,  by  recitation  and  by  written  ex- 
amination. 

Where  the  tmiform  lessons  are  used,  the 
school  should  prepare  graded  supplemental  les- 
sons covering  songs,  memorization  of  impor- 


Graded  Evangelism  27 

tant  verses  and  sections  of  Scripture.  These 
should  be  drilled  from  the  platform  or  in  the 
class  with  the  purpose  of  fastening  in  the  mem- 
ory the  material  that  nourishes  the  spiritual  Hfe. 

(d)  Graded  evangelistic  leaflets. 

These  leaflets  may  contain  pivotal  verses  to 
help  meet  the  understanding  of  the  age  to  which 
they  are  directed.  They  may  relate  the  story 
of  some  one  of  their  own  age  who  lived  a  natu- 
ral, wholesome  Christian  life,  or  some  one  older 
whose  life  would  be  an  incentive.  It  is  impor- 
tant to  avoid  giving  to  the  younger  children 
material  out  of  the  range  of  their  thinking  and 
experience.  Wisely  graded  leaflets  will  be  of 
highest  value  in  making  the  Christian  life  so 
understood  and  winsome  that  decisions  will  be 
easily  made. 

(e)  Graded  Christian  service. 

Many  learn  to  love  by  serving.  With  chil- 
dren and  young  people  this  is  a  preferred 
method  of  finding  the  Christ.  "  By  serving 
love  will  grow."  The  truth  concreted  in  life 
and  action  is  irresistible.  Graded  forms  of 
service  will  be  found  a  compelling  method  of 
teaching  evangelism. 

(f)  The  pastor's  week-day  graded  classes  of 
religious  instruction. 


28      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Plans  for  such  classes  will  be  suggested  in 
later  chapters.  These  classes  furnish  one  of 
the  very  best  opportunities  in  the  hands  of  the 
right  leaders  to  make  the  Christian  life  under- 
stood and  attractive  to  young  people.  A  pas- 
tor's helper  can  of  course  carry  on  some  of  these 
classes.  But  the  material  and  method  of  pres- 
entation should  be  graded  and  the  blackboard 
and  object  lessons  will  be  found  valuable  as  ad- 
juncts to  the  teaching  of  the  Bible  truths  and 
the  fundamentals  of  the  Christian  life. 

The  graded  Primary,  Junior  and  Intermedi- 
ate organizations  of  the  school  or  church  may 
furnish  the  membership  for  this  teaching. 

3.  The  Graded  Evangelistic  Appeal 
We  assume  that  the  character  of  the  appeal 
for  the  Christian  decision  of  the  scholars  should 
be  graded  for  the  same  reason  that  a  program 
and  lessons  are  graded.  Different  motives,  ex- 
periences and  knowledge  are  found  at  each  stage 
of  development,  and  these  must  be  taken  into 
account  if  we  do  not  wish  to  develop  cases  of 
stunted  growth  or  arrested  development. 

To  be  sure,  the  same  sunshine  and  rain  and 
earth  are  required  by  the  flower  during  its  en- 
tire life  and  it  is  the  same  Christ  who  is  the  life 
and  atmosphere  and  sustaining  strength  of 
every  Christian,  young  or  old.  But  even  Christ 
recognized  there  were  some   things  His  dis- 


Graded  Evangelism  29 

ciples  could  not  bear  at  one  point  of  their  train- 
ing that  should  be  afterward  revealed;  and  that 
the  blade,  the  ear  and  the  full  corn  came  in  suc- 
cessive pushes  of  growth. 

What  motives  for  decision  shall  be  appealed 
to  in  the  graded  classes  or  departments?  Many- 
schools  are  obliged  to  use  one  room  with  the 
primaries  screened  off.  If  possible  it  would  be 
better,  where  ages  are  mixed  in  one  room,  for 
the  pastor  or  superintendent  or  teacher  to  make 
the  appeal  to  the  classes  individually  rather 
than  in  a  general  service.  I  know  that  excel- 
lent results  are  obtained  in  a  general  appeal  if 
wisely  handled,  but  care  should  be  taken  that 
any  such  appeal  should  be  framed  to  meet  the 
need  of  the  youngest  ones  present  and  that  no 
one  by  the  method  of  the  appeal  is  put  in  the 
position  of  opposing  Christ.  These  young  peo- 
ple should  be  nurtured  along  until  they  are  led 
to  see  Christ  and  His  relationship  to  them  as 
Lord  and  Saviour  and  Friend,  and  when  so  led 
they  will  rarely  refuse  to  choose  Him  for  life. 

Just  a  few  suggestions  in  grading  the  appeal: 

(a)     For  the  Primary  Class  or  Department. 

In  this  department  we  are  laying  the  founda- 
tions for  a  future  public  step  in  leading  the  child 
to  love  God  and  love  others.  The  teacher's 
face,  voice  and  spirit  is  here  the  largest  at- 
mospherin^:  influence.       Do  not  force  growth. 


3©      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Assume  and  teach  the  naturalness  of  loving 
God  as  we  do  our  parents  and  our  purpose  al- 
ways to  serve  Him.  In  the  last  year  or  two  of 
this  department,  where  the  classes  are  graded, 
such  an  opportunity  to  choose  Christ  as  is  sug- 
gested in  the  chapter  on  Decision  Day  may  be 
given. 

(b)  The  Junior  Department. 

It  should  be  expected  that  some  open  deci- 
sion for  Christ  should  be  made  by  each  scholar 
before  the  thirteenth  year.  At  this  age  the 
scholars  are  not  highly  emotional.  They  are 
matter  of  fact.  They  are  interested  in  facts, 
in  history,  in  heroes.  Christ,  as  the  world's 
Hero,  as  the  boys'  and  girls'  best  Friend,  as  the 
one  who  made  the  supreme  sacrifice  to  save 
others,  will  be  the  best  basis  of  choice.  The 
appeal  should  be  a  natural,  honest  presentation 
of  Christ. 

(c)  The  Intermediate  Department. 

This  is  distinctly  the  time  of  decision  accord- 
ing to  general  testimony.  It  is  an  age  of  com- 
radeships, of  the  shaping  of  ideals.  Great  tact 
and  care  are  needed  that  in  any  appeal  the 
young  people  should  not  be  embarrassed  or 
placed  where  they  may  be  the  subject  of  ridi- 
cule. Ordinarily  it  is  best  to  make  a  straight, 
earnest  appeal  to  follow  Christ  as  the  world's 


Graded  Evangelism  31 

greatest  Leader  and  Guide,  who  meets  lu- 
premely  the  need  of  the  life  for  a  Saviour  and 
ideal  Comrade. 

(d)     The  Senior  Department, 

Here,  as  in  the  Intermediate  Department, 
Christ  as  the  one  who  forgives  sin  and  keeps 
the  life  from  sin  should  be  presented.  And 
Christ's  service  as  the  best  for  each  life,  for  its 
joy  and  development,  will  at  this  age  of  altru- 
ism find  a  response. 

One  church  has  found  it  very  valuable  and 
fruitful  for  the  pastor  and  superintendent,  on 
the  Sunday  before  communion,  to  go  to  the  dif- 
ferent departments  and  so  grade  the  appeal  that 
decisions  are  regularly  registered  and  additions 
made  to  the  church  month  by  month. 

Another  good  plan  is  the  letters  of  pastor  or 
superintendent  or  teacher — these  letters  being 
graded  in  their  appeal  to  the  ages  to  be  reached. 


in 

FACTORS  IN  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  EVAN- 
GELISM 


COWORKING   WITH   GOD 

VERY  farmer  is  in  partnership  with  God. 
Both  are  absolutely  essential  to  the  har- 
^  vest.  The  farmer  has  to  prepare  and 
cultivate  the  soil,  sow  the  seed,  gather  the  har- 
vest. God  furnishes  the  seed,  the  sun,  the  satu- 
ration of  the  rain  and  the  operation  of  the 
chemical  ingredients  of  the  soil.  This  partner- 
ship has  borne  results  for  thousands  of  years 
where  the  human  side  has  not  failed  God. 

It  can  be  said  of  the  spiritual  harvest  in  the 
Sunday  School  that  the  results  are  at  least 
ninety  per  cent,  assured  where  pastor,  superin- 
tendent, teacher  and  parents,  as  God's  four 
human  partners,  do  their  share. 

We  must,  therefore,  think  of  evangelistic  re- 
sults in  the  Sunday  School  as  expected,  natural, 
inevitable,  as  God's  law  and  God's  sure  provi- 
sion, and  readjust  our  thinking  and  plans  to  as- 
certain the  factors  that  make  the  harvest  a 
certainty  and  failure  the  exception. 

Let  us  consider  the  six  factors  entering  into 
the  law  of  the  harvest : 

32 


Factors  in  Sunday  School  Evangelism     33 

1.  The  Seed. 

Christ  has  designated  this.  "  The  seed  is  the 
word  of  God."  The  seed  is  put  up  in  coverings 
of  verses,  in  larger  groupings  of  chapters,  and 
still  larger  groupings  of  books. 

We  cannot  improve  the  seed.  It  is  for  us 
rather  to  select  it  according  to  the  kind  of  har- 
vest desired,  grade  it  to  the  conditions  of  the 
soil  and  see  to  it  that  it  is  sown  at  the  right 
time  and  in  the  right  way. 

Some  seed  is  for  broadcast  sowing,  some  has 
to  be  drill  planted.  The  drill  method  has  its 
advantages  over  the  other  in  that  the  birds  do 
not  pluck  it  away.  "  Line  upon  line,  precept 
upon  precept "  is  the  Bible  drill  method.  Un- 
der Chapter  VI,  on  the  superintendent's  part  in 
the  plan,  we  shall  indicate  methods  of  drilling 
in  the  seed. 

2.  The  Soil. 

The  soil  is  surely  the  scholar's  mind  and 
heart. 

The  preparation  and  cultivation  of  that  soil 
is  the  delicate  task  of  all  concerned.  The  study 
of  soils,  a  knowledge  of  their  chemical  ingredi- 
ents, the  enrichment  of  impoverished  soil  by 
the  addition  of  needed  elements,  improvement 
by  change  of  crop,  are  now  upon  a  scientific 
basis.  How  much  of  study  is  there  made  of  the 
individual  scholar?     Do  wc  put  all  through  the 


34      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

same  treatment  and  then  wonder  why  the  re- 
sults are  so  varied  and  sometimes  disappoint- 
ing? Do  we  make  a  study  of  the  different  con- 
ditions arising  from  subtraction  or  addition  of 
needed  elements  in  the  home  life,  the  different 
week-day  environments,  the  kind  of  reading, 
companionships,  amusements  which  the  scholar 
has? 

It  can  be  safely  assumed  that  no  results 
worth  while  will  be  secured  if  the  soil  is  un- 
studied, unenriched  and  only  cultivated  one 
hour  a  week. 

5.     The  Sower. 

The  teacher,  the  parent,  the  superintendent, 
the  pastor,  all  are  sowers.  In  song,  in  sermon, 
in  the  lesson  taught,  in  the  word  of  loving  ex- 
hortation, in  the  prayer,  in  the  personal  inter- 
est, the  letter,  the  leaflet,  the  pressure  of  the 
hand,  the  example  of  a  sincere,  glad  Christian 
life — in  one,  or  several,  or  all  of  these  ways — 
the  seed  is  being  surely  sown. 

The  essential  in  it  all  is  that  there  be  a  vital 
contact  with  the  Master  on  the  part  of  the 
sower,  a  real  love  for  the  work,  and  some  heart 
and  hand  and  head  skill  in  the  sowing. 

Pastor  and  superintendent  need  to  cowork 
closely  to  inspire  and  instruct  the  teacher  in  the 
art  of  sowing. 

And  of  utmost  importance  too  is  it  that  the 


Factors  in  Sunday  School  Evangelism     35 

parents  should  be  visited  personally,  or  brought 
together  for  conference,  that  those  who  are 
most  with  the  scholars,  and  have  the  largest 
opportunity  and  responsibihty  for  the  seed  sow- 
ing and  its  growing,  should  understand  the  law 
of  the  soil  and  the  seed. 

4.     Saturation. 

"  They  that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy." 
There  can  come  no  harvest  without  this  rain  of 
the  spirit,  this  brooding  of  the  heart  over  a  soul, 
this  anxious  interest  united  with  sunshine  of 
life,  that  is  perceived  so  quickly  by  the  scholar 
and  germinates  the  seed  sown. 

The  channel  through  which  the  outpouring 
of  the  "  early  and  the  latter  rain  "  upon  the  soil 
of  human  hearts  and  wills  is  accomplished  is 
prevailing  prayer.  It  is  that  attitude  of  the 
worker  that  expects  great  things  of  God,  dares 
great  things  for  God.  It  is  the  assurance  that 
claims  a  promised  gift.  It  is  that  persistency, 
because  of  the  drive  of  love,  that  will  not  be 
denied. 

The  effect  of  this  prayer  atmosphere  is  joy, 
confidence,  expectation,  possession.  And  if  we 
are  to  persuade  souls  to  "seek  the  pearl  of  great 
price  "  it  is  because  the  wealth  of  its  possession 
is  manifest  in  our  face,  voice  and  action. 

We  are  salesmen  of  Christ  and  for  Christ. 
Prayer  intensifies  our  contact  with  Him  and 


36      Plan*  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

givei  u<  ability  and  power  to  preient  Him  »o 
that  others  will  want  Him. 

The  methods  of  prayer,  individually  with  the 
scholar,  with  the  parents,  collectively  with  the 
teachers  and  special  prayer  groups,  will  be  dealt 
with  in  a  later  chapter. 

5.    Sunshine. 

"  Oh  man,  with  heaven  in  your  face,  help 
me."  So  said  one  who  recognized  in  another 
the  glow  of  a  sunlit  experience. 

"  Moses  wist  not  that  the  skin  of  his  face 
shone."  And  in  that  mountain-top  experience 
Christ's  disciples  said  of  Him  that  He  "  was 
transfigured  before  them :  and  his  face  did  shine 
as  the  sun,  and  his  raiment  was  white  as  the 
light." 

In  our  Sunday  School  there  was  an  assistant 
superintendent  whose  face  shone  because  he 
talked  much  with  God.  One  day  he  entered  the 
Beginners'  Department.  A  teacher  in  that  de- 
partment had  just  told  her  class  that  Jesus  was 
not  far  away,  that  He  was  very  near  to  us. 
Suddenly  one  of  the  girls  looked  up  and  saw 
the  assistant  superintendent  and  she  cried, 
"  Teacher,  there  is  Jesus  over  there." 

Dr.  Henry  Van  Dyke  said  that  the  greatest 
power  a  man  can  have  is  to  make  Jesus  a  reality 
to  others.  It  is  a  great  thing  to  naturalize  our 
religious  life.     This  makes  for  an  atmosphere  in 


Factors  in  Sunday  School  Evangelism     37 

the  school,  class,  church,  home,  under  which 
the  seed,  well  planted,  watered  with  prayer, 
•hoots  up  into  a  healthy  stalk  under  the  upward 
pull  of  the  sun,  spreads  out  in  neighbourly  con- 
tacts under  the  social  touch  of  love,  and  ripens 
in  matured  convictions. 

The  Sunday  School  worker  as  a  Christian 
optimist  can  so  atmosphere  his  life  as  to  make 
the  religious  appeal  irresistible  and  the  Chris- 
tian life  absolutely  attractive.  Will  Moody 
tells  of  an  apple  orchard  adjoining  his  father's 
place.  The  owner  of  that  orchard  had  planted 
a  row  of  sour  apple  trees  around  the  orchard  to 
give  the  boys  the  impression  that  all  of  the 
apples  were  of  that  variety.  So  Will  and  the 
boys  kept  out.  Years  afterward,  when  passing 
the  neighbour's  place,  the  farmer  invited  Will 
to  have  some  of  his  apples.  But  Will  declined, 
for  his  memories  were  soured  ones.  But  the 
farmer  said  that  inside  that  sour  row  were  some 
of  the  finest  apples  in  the  world. 

Sour  exteriors  never  recommend  the  goods 
of  salvation.     Sunshine  is  the  best  salesman. 

6.     The  Sickle. 

How  and  when  shall  we  put  in  the  sickle? 
Not  always  can  we  judge  by  surface  indications. 
A  wise  teacher  can  frequently  discern  the  effect 
of  certain  lessons.  The  intuitions  of  the  heart 
rarely  fail,  and  even  blunders,  where  the  love  is 


38      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

real,  may  make  for  blessed  results.  And  it 
is  better  thus  to  err  than,  in  indifference,  to  pass 
the  time  of  harvest. 

There  are  times  and  seasons  in  the  school  life 
when  nature,  the  lessons,  some  school  or  na- 
tional event,  special  meetings,  make  it  advisable 
to  thrust  in  the  sickle.  Any  Sunday  may  fur- 
nish this  occasion.  The  Sunday  before  com- 
munion is  a  choice  time.  Thanksgiving,  the 
last  Sunday  of  the  year,  Palm  Sunday,  Chil- 
dren's Day,  all  are  golden  seasons  for  a  school 
effort. 

The  teacher's  hand  picking  and  that  of  the 
pastor  and  superintendent  should  be  going  on 
all  the  year. 

In  Chapter  XII  plans  for  harvesting  v^^ill  be 
fully  suggested.  A  school  without  the  joy  and 
song  of  the  harvest  time  has  missed  its  goal  and 
strength. 


IV 

THE    SUNDAY    SCHOOL    COMMITTEE 
ON   EVANGELISM 

IN  promoting  evangelism  in  the  Sunday 
School  it  is  important  that  there  should  be 
a  Committee  on  Evangelism  which  shall 
plan  well  in  advance  for  Decision  Day  and 
throughout  the  year  shall  develop  a  school 
spirit  favourable  to  evangelism. 

This  committee  should  consist  of  the  pastor, 
the  superintendent  and  a  teacher,  in  the  small 
school,  and  in  the  larger  school  the  department 
superintendents  should  be  added.  This  com- 
mittee has  some  distinct  duties. 

I.    Literature 

There  is  a  very  rich  literature  dealing  with 
Sunday  School  evangelism.  This  literature  in 
its  application  to  the  pastor,  the  superintendent, 
the  teacher,  the  scholar  and  the  parents  we  shall 
classify  and  list  in  Chapter  XIV.  The  Evan- 
gelism Committee  should  know  this  material 
and  should  distribute  it  at  the  right  time,  to 
prepare  for  special  efforts  in  connection  with 

39 


40      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Decision  Day  and  in  building  Hp  the  spiritual 
life  of  the  school. 

For  its  own  guidance  the  members  of  the 
committee  should  read: 

"  Sunday  School  Evangelism  "  (Mabie). 

"  Educational  Evangelism  "  (McKinley). 

Leaflets  on  Sunday  School  Evangelism  (In- 
ternational Sunday  School  Association). 

"Spiritual  Life  in  the  Sunday  School"  (Chap- 
man). 

"  The  Child  for  Christ  "  (McKinney). 

2.    Methods 

The  committee  should  keep  an  evangelism 
record  and  plan  book.  In  this  book  should  be 
kept  a  record  of  the  scholars  of  the  school,  their 
addresses,  date,  and  age  of  scholar  when  record 
is  made,  and  opposite  each  name  should  be 
placed  the  Christian  record,  namely,  when  deci- 
sion was  made  for  Christ,  when  they  joined  the 
church,  and  the  Christian  service  of  the  scholar 
as  officer,  teacher,  missionary  or  other  work. 

Scholars  which  the  record  showed  had  not 
come  into  the  church  could  be  made  the  sub- 
ject of  special  mention  for  prayer  in  the 
teachers'  prayer  gatherings.  The  literature 
could  be  selected  with  reference  to  their  cases 
and  the  right  letters  sent  at  the  right  time  en- 
closing this  literature,  if  in  leaflet  form. 

This  book  should  also  contain  a  record  of 


The  Sunday  School  Committee  41 

the  best  evangelistic  literature  for  use  with 
teachers,  scholars  and  parents.  It  should  also 
have  an  account  of  the  best  plans  of  work  in 
promoting  Christian  decision  and  in  conserving 
the  results  of  that  decision.  These  methods 
could  be  obtained  from  literature  on  Decision 
Day,  from  articles  on  Decision  Day  and  Sunday 
School  evangelism  in  the  current  Sunday  School 
magazines  and  from  institutes  and  convention 
sections  on  evangelism. 

This  material,  if  in  printed  form,  should  be 
pasted  in  the  book  for  future  use. 

A  record  should  be  kept  of  the  special  deci- 
sion efforts  of  the  school  year  by  year,  the 
methods  employed  and  the  results  secured. 
All  of  this  could  be  made  the  subject  of  report 
year  by  year  to  the  Teachers'  Council  and  to 
the  church  and  would  p:ove  of  the  utmost 
value  to  the  future  work  of  evangelism.  Why 
should  this  most  important  business  of  the  Sun- 
day School  be  left  to  chance?  Why  not  make 
it  the  real  business  of  the  church  through  evan- 
gelistic business  methods? 

3.  Letters  and  Card  Forms 
Another  important  part  of  the  committee 
service  is  to  preserve  for  use  the  best  forms  of 
personal  letters  to  teachers,  scholars  and  par- 
ents. Before  Decision  Day  such  letters,  en- 
closing some  helpful  leaflets,  are  invaluable  in 


42      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

producing  an  attitude  of  mind  favourable  to  a 
right  response  and  in  bringing  teachers  and  par- 
ents into  a  spirit  of  cooperation.  In  Chapter  X 
are  forms  of  decision  and  consecration  cards. 

4.  Other  Duties  of  the  Committee 
The  committee  should  plan  the  promotion 
of  the  spiritual  life  of  the  teacher  by  circulation 
of  books  and  pamphlets  bearing  upon  the  work 
of  evangelism :  should  help  to  make  the  school 
prayer  and  M^itnessing  service  a  bright  and  up- 
lifting time ;  should  make  of  the  teachers' 
prayer  circle  a  time  when  individual  scholars 
will  be  remembered  in  prayer  and  the  teachers 
shall  become  united  for  soul  winning. 

5.  Decision  Day 
The  chief  interest  of  the  committee  will  relate 
to  preparation  for  the  school's  Decision  Service, 
and  the  conserving  of  the  results  of  that  service. 
Plans  for  this  special  day  will  be  set  out  later. 
Many  schools  do  not  confine  their  efforts  to  a 
single  Decision  Day  but  make  a  steady  effort  to 
create  atmosphere  favourable  to  decision  and 
then  at  certain  times  gather  in  the  results,  in 
November,  the  first  Sunday  of  the  New  Year, 
Decision  Day  in  February,  Palm  Sunday,  Chil- 
dren's Day.  And  this  plan  is  by  all  means  to 
be  preferred  as  a  goal  for  the  school's  evangel- 
istic work. 


V 

THE  PASTOR  AS  A  SCHOOL  SHEPHERD 

LIVE  pastors  consider  the  Sunday  School 
their  chief  and  best  field  for  evangelism. 
Dr.  R.  S.  MacArthur  says:  "Experi- 
ence leads  many  pastors  to  give  their  most 
earnest  efforts  now  to  the  v^inning  of  the  boys 
and  girls  to  Christ  and  to  the  Church.  It  is 
pitiful  to  think  how  we  often  neglect  the  chil- 
dren and  then  labour  with  agonizing  prayer  and 
heroic  appeal  for  the  conversion  of  men  and 
women.  We  have  sometimes  thought  that  we 
have  honoured  the  grace  of  God  more  when  a 
man  steeped  in  sin  is  brought  to  Christ  than 
when  a  noble  boy  or  beautiful  girl  lovingly  sub- 
mits to  the  call  of  mercy.  Boys  and  girls,  prop- 
erly instructed,  ought  to  jaeld  their  hearts  to 
Christ  as  easily  as  a  flower  opens  when  kissed 
by  the  sun." 

Spurgeon  said  that  he  had  "  more  satisfaction 
in  those  who  have  decided  before  ten  than  those 
at  forty."  And  every  pastor  has  in  his  own 
Sunday  School  the  material  and  the  opportu- 

43 


44      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

nity  out  of  which  to  create  this  satisfaction  of 
soul,  and  to  mould  his  church  of  to-day  and  to- 
morrow. The  chief  need  is  to  adjust  one's 
thinking  and  method  to  the  new  conditions,  as 
against  the  old  revival  plans,  to  secure  hand- 
picked  fruit  rather  than  to  stir  up  the  crowd  and 
to  "  put  on  the  rousements." 

We  shall  deal  here  with  the  pastor's  general 
lines  of  effort  in  Sunday  School  evangelism, 
leaving  to  succeeding  chapters  the  development 
of  the  details  of  certain  of  these  phases  of  work. 

I.    Literature  for  the  Pastor 

A  list  of  the  books  and  pamphlets  applicable 
to  Sunday  School  evangelism  is  given  in  Chap- 
ter XIV. 

Among  the  books  written  from  the  pastor's 
view-point  may  be  noted : 

"The  Sunday  School  and  the  Pastor" 
(Faris). 

"  Pastoral  Leadership  of  Sunday  School 
Forces"  (Schauffler). 

"Ministry  of  the  Sunday  School"  (Patter- 
son). 

"  Educational  Evangelism  "  (McKinley). 

"The  Pastor  and  the  Sunday  School" 
(Hatcher). 

"The  Pastor  and  Teacher  Training"  (Mc- 
Kinney). 

"  Fishin'  fer  Men  "  (Clark). 


The  Pastor  as  a  School  Shepherd         45 

2.      COWORKING    WITH    SUPERINTENDENT,    TeACK»M 

AND  THE  Sunday  ScHooiy  Committee 
ON  Evangelism 

The  pastor  should  work  out,  with  the  super- 
intendent and  Sunday  School  Committee  on 
Evangelism,  a  plan  for  a  year's  evangelistic  pro- 
gram covering  the  use  of  letters,  literature,  par- 
ents' meetings,  special  seasons  and  such  special 
days  as  Decision  Day,  Easter,  Children's  Day. 
These  plans  should  be  placed  before  the  teach- 
ers so  that  they  can  proceed  intelligently  in 
carrying  out  the  program. 

The  pastor  should  see  that  a  card  index  of 
each  scholar  and  the  scholar's  family  is  pre- 
pared showing  their  relation  to  Christ  and  the 
Church.  These  cards  should  be  prepared  in 
duplicate  and  be  made  available  to  all  inter- 
ested, for  purposes  of  prayer  for  decision,  to 
know  the  field  of  effort  and  as  a  help  to  visitors 
in  understanding  and  reaching  the  last  one  in 
each  home  for  Christ. 


3.    The  Pastor  and  the  Home 

Under  Chapter  VIII  the  parents'  part  in  the 
process  of  developing  the  scholar's  spiritual  life 
will  be  considered. 

The  pastor  can  give  these  parents  suggestion, 
guidance  and  inspiration  in  their  task: 

(a)     By  promoting  a  family  altar  campaign 


46       Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

that  shall  establish  prayer  and  the  reading  of  a 
portion  of  Scripture  as  the  foundation  of  each 
home.  No  Christian  Hfe  counts  for  much  that 
has  not  this  aid  in  atmosphering  it  for  daily  liv- 
ing. Christian  decisions  are  easily  made  with 
the  spirit  and  memories  of  the  family  altar  as  a 
background. 

(b)  By  arranging  meetings  M^ith  mothers  and 
fathers  to  suggest  plans  of  cooperation  in  win- 
ning the  children  to  a  Christian  life.  Many 
parents  know  little  of  spiritual  processes  and 
object  to  their  children  relating  themselves  to 
Christ  and  His  Church  under  the  false  pre- 
sumption that  they  are  too  young,  or  that  they 
need  to  come  into  contact  with  the  world  and 
"  have  a  good  time  "  before  entering  the  Chris- 
tian life. 

(c)  In  his  visitation  of  the  home  he  can 
complete  the  card  record  of  the  Christian  rela- 
tionship of  each  member  of  the  home.  This 
visit  will  give  him  the  opportunity  of  conference 
concerning  each  member  of  that  home,  and  of 
prayer  for  each,  and  to  leave  some  helpful  liter- 
ature concerning  family  prayer  and  the  work  of 
parents. 

One  pastor  in  a  Western  city  made  it  a  point 
one  year  to  call  upon  the  parents  of  the  seven 
hundred  members  of  his  Cradle  Roll.  As  a  result 
of  their  interest  in  the  Sunday  School,  through 
this  link  of  the  child,  he  was  able  to  secure  three 


The  Pastor  as  a  School  Shepherd         47 

hundred  of  these  parents  as   members  of  his 
church. 

4.    His  Sunday  Church  Opportunity 
A  goodly  proportion  of  every  Sunday  audi- 
ence are  parents.     How  can  these  be  reached, 
for  themselves  and  their  children? 

(a)  By  preaching  an  occasional  sermon  to 
parents  as  to  home  responsibility  for  the  spir- 
itual culture  of  the  children.  Especially  should 
this  emphasis  be  made  before  a  school  Decision 
Day,  Mothers'  Day,  Easter  or  Children's  Day. 

(b)  Through  the  children's  sermon,  "  the 
little  ten  minutes  "  before  the  regular  sermon. 

Parents  receive  many  a  suggestion  as  to 
methods  of  teaching  and  reaching  their  children 
through  these  little  windows.  Dr.  James  M. 
Farrar,  whose  plan  of  a  "Junior  Congregation  " 
has  been  extensively  used,  had  prepared  some 
of  his  regular  sermons  with  the  purpose  of 
reaching  a  certain  judge  in  his  congregation  for 
church  membership.  He  saw  a  great  light 
when,  after  that  judge  had  come  into  the 
church,  he  discovered  that  he  had  been  reached 
by  one  of  his  children's  talks  and  not  by  his 
scholarly  sermons.  And  he  changed  his  whole 
plan  of  sermon  preparation  as  a  consequence. 

Suggestions  for  these  children's  sermons  can 
be  found  in  "  Little  Ten  Minutes  "  (Bailey)  ; 
"  The  Junior  Congregation  "  (Farrar)  ;  "  Talks 


48      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

to  the  King's  Children  "  (Stall)  ;  "  Five-Minute 
Object  Sermons"  (Stall);  "Five-Minute  Ob- 
ject Sermons  to  Children  "  (Hatcher)  ;  "  Boys' 
Brigade  and  Other  Talks,"  and  "  Beware  of 
Imitations"  (J.  Williams  Butcher);  "Chil- 
dren's Story  Sermons"  (Kerr);  "What  I  Tell 
My  Junior  Congregation  "  (Bennett)  ;  "  Five- 
Minute  Sermons  to  Children  "  (Armstrong) ; 
"  Find  Us  God's  Secrets  "  (McKay). 

(c)  He  should  assign  every  parent,  and  in 
fact  every  member  of  the  church  as  they  join, 
to  some  class  in,  or  some  service  to,  the  church 
school.  Many  schools  are  now  emphasizing 
parents'  departments,  with  classes  for  fathers 
and  for  mothers.  These  classes  become  choice 
opportunities  for  enlistment  of  the  parents  for 
Christ  and  for  instruction  of  the  parents 
through  special  parents'  courses  in  methods  for 
the  Christian  training  of  children. 

The  Mormon  Church  has  20,000  parents 
meeting  regularly  on  Sunday  in  parents'  classes 
for  instruction,  with  a  well-prepared  series  of 
lessons  for  parents  as  a  basis. 

(d)  He  should  form  a  "  Go-to- Church 
Band  "  of  the  children  and  young  people  of  the 
Junior  and  Intermediate  or  Junior  High  School 
age.  This  will  have  the  effect  of  enlisting  the 
attendance  of  their  parents.  It  will  result  al- 
most Inevitably  in  securing  every  member  of 
the  band  for  church  membership. 


The  Pastor  as  a  School  Shepherd         49 

(e)  He  can  make  a  drive  for  attendance  of 
fathers  and  mothers  at  the  church  service  and 
enUst  the  children  and  the  local  press  in  promot- 
ing such  attendance. 

In  the  church  that  I  attend  the  pastor  aimed 
for  the  attendance  of  five  hundred  men  at  a 
Sunday  evening  service.  He  was  successful. 
These  men  frequently  stand  and  sing  some 
hymn.  Then  he  aimed  for  five  hundred 
mothers  and  succeeded.  And  he  had  a  mes- 
sage for  each  of  these  groups. 

5.    His  Sunday  SchooIv  Plans 

These  plans  as  they  relate  to  decision  and 
other  special  evangelistic  days,  his  preparation 
for  these  days,  and  his  follow-up  work,  will  be 
treated  in  the  appropriate  chapters. 

Three  things  the  pastor  can  make  a  part  of 
his  regular  work  in  the  Sunday  School  session. 

(a)  His  attendance  at  every  Sunday  School 
session  unless  prevented  by  a  funeral  service. 

This  he  owes  to  the  officers  and  members  of 
the  school  and  to  himself.  He  must  get  ac- 
quainted with  the  school  atmosphere  and  con- 
ditions; he  must,  by  the  radiance  of  his  own 
spirit,  help  that  atmosphere  and  generate  a 
Christian  purpose  in  the  scholars;  and  occa- 
sionally through  his  prayer,  an  incident  related 
by  him,  or  a  few  well-chosen  words,  bring  home 
an  impression  or  conviction. 


50      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

(b)  On  the  Sunday  before  communion  or 
church  reception  of  members,  he  should,  by  his 
own  appeal  or  through  the  teacher  or  depart- 
ment superintendent's  effort,  secure  the  deci- 
sion of  scholars  to  join  the  church  on  the  follow- 
ing Sunday,  or  to  join  a  class  in  preparation  for 
church  membership. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  this  appeal 
should  be  graded  to  the  understanding  and  ex- 
perience of  those  who  are  to  be  reached. 

(c)  He  will  find  it  of  great  profit  to  person- 
ally teach  or  conduct  a  fathers'  class  at  the  Sun- 
day School  session.  The  pastor  of  my  own 
church  used  such  an  opportunity  in  bringing 
every  one  of  a  class  of  fifty  fathers  into  church 
membership. 


6.  His  Week-day  Methods 
(a)  He  can  promote  a  "  Volunteers* 
Month  "  with  the  purpose  of  lining  up  every 
member  of  the  church  and  Sunday  School, 
through  public  presentation  and  home  visita- 
tion, for  some  new  decision  or  service. 

I  have  before  me  a  card  used  in  our  church 
in  such  a  campaign.  This  card  lists  a  number 
of  lines  of  work  of  organizations,  to  join  one  or 
more  of  which  may  be  checked  by  the  one  sign- 
ing.    These  indicate  a  choice  as  follows ; 


The  Pastor  as  a  School  Shepherd         51 

Open  to  All 

1.  Prayer  League. 

Family  Worship. 
Mid-week  Prayer  Meeting. 

2.  Bible  School. 

Class. 

Teacher. 

Home  Department. 

3.  Visitation  Committee. 

4.  Hospitality  Committee. 

Open  to  Women 

1.  Ladies'  Aid  Society. 

2.  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 

3.  Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society. 

4.  Florence  Nightingale  Society. 

Open  to  Young  People 

1.  Epworth  League. 

2.  Junior  League. 

3.  Go-to-Church  Band. 

4.  Triangles. 

5.  Midgets. 

6.  Choir. 

Open  to  Men 

1.  Men's  League. 

2.  Men's  Classes. 


Name Address 

"For  the  people  had  a  mind  to  work." 

(b)  He  should  invite  young  people  and 
adults  to  his  home,  one  by  one,  for  individual 
talks  upon  their  relationship  to  Christ.  This 
can  be  done  where  these  individuals  have  made 
no  decision  for  Christ  or  after  they  become 


52      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

members  of  some  class  in  preparation  for 
church  membership.  In  this  way  difficulties 
can  be  met  and  results  obtained  in  a  way  im- 
possible in  any  group  or  mass  meeting.  One 
pastor  matured  all  but  two  of  a  class  of  ninety- 
three  probationers  through  this  personal  con- 
versation plan. 

(c)  He  can  prepare  and  forward  letters  to  a 
selected  list  of  individuals  in  the  school  or 
church  urging  the  claims  of  Christ  and  suggest- 
ing that  decision  be  made  by  specially  named 
church  days  such  as  Thanksgiving,  New  Year's 
Day,  Easter.  These  personal  letters  have  been 
used  by  pastors  with  unusual  results,  especially 
when  the  individuals  are  followed  up  by  a  per- 
sonal appeal. 

(d)  He  can  keep  a  list  of  all  unconverted  in 
the  Sunday  School  or  church  and  make  them 
the  object  of  individual  prayer. 

One  pastor  prayed  daily  for  a  long  list  of 
such  prospects.  It  intensified  his  interest  in 
them.  Does  not  Christ  carry  us  thus  in  re- 
membrance, our  names  inscribed  in  the  palms 
of  His  hands? 

(e)  Use  the  mid-week  prayer  service  as  a 
time  for  prayer  by  the  church  for  the  spiritual 
life  and  decisions  of  the  children  and  young 
people,  and  also  as  a  preparatory  meeting  for 
teachers,  officers  and  parents,  before  any  deci- 
sion Sunday. 

if)     Organize  graded  week-day  classes  for 


The  Pastor  as  a  School  Shepherd         53 

religious  instruction  with  the  objective  of  Chris- 
tian decision  and  church  membership.  It  is 
patent  that  primary  and  junior  children  can 
hardly  be  grouped  in  such  classes  with  young 
people  in  the  teen  years,  hence  some  graded 
plan  is  required  with  some  wise  women  as 
assistants. 

One  pastor  selects  from  his  baptismal  register 
the  names  of  children  over  twelve  years  of  age. 
He  writes  a  letter  to  the  parents  inviting  them 
to  send  their  children  on  a  stated  Sunday  after- 
noon for  enrollment  in  the  class.  Public  an- 
nouncement is  also  made.  The  class  lasts  for 
ten  weeks  and  meets  at  five  o'clock  on  a  week 
day.  The  children  study  and  recite  a  simple 
catechism,  prepared,  in  this  instance,  by  the 
pastor.  On  Friday  afternoon  before  Children's 
Day,  the  session  and  the  parents  gather  for 
examination  of  the  children  on  the  work  done. 
On  Children's  Day  the  entire  congregation 
gathers  for  the  Lord's  Supper,  when  these  care- 
fully instructed  children  are  received  into  full 
communion. 

Another  pastor  met  his  class  before  the  mid- 
week prayer-meeting.  He  taught  them  by 
question  and  answers  covering  reasons  for 
uniting  with  the  church;  what  we  must  do  to 
be  saved;  the  person  and  work  of  Christ;  the 
duties  and  privileges  of  church  members;  the 
nature  of  the  sacraments ;  how  one  may  become 
a  strong  Christian;  and  brought  each  one  per- 


54      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

sonally  to  face  the  definite  acceptance  of  Christ 
as  Saviour. 

Still  another  pastor's  class  is  held  for  six 
weeks  in  the  spring  and  autumn  during  the 
Sunday  School  session.  The  scholars  retire  to 
this  class  during  the  lesson  period. 

Mr.  I.  N.  HalHday  tells  of  a  unique  class  of 
seventy  children  who  came  directly  from  day 
school  on  Friday  afternoons  at  three  o'clock  for 
a  "  week-day  school  in  religion  and  morals " 
conducted  by  the  pastor.  The  pastor  had 
preached  several  sermons  on  childhood  religion 
on  several  Sundays  previous  to  launching  the 
movement.  A  personal  canvass  of  the  homes 
was  made  to  secure  the  cooperation  of  parents. 
The  plan  was  presented  before  the  Sunday 
School  for  several  weeks  before  the  week-day 
classes  began.  One  week  before  enrollment 
letters  explaining  the  plan  were  sent  out 
through  the  Sunday  School  and  the  morning 
congregation.  At  the  close  of  the  final  sermon 
preceding  the  first  class  gathering,  the  names 
of  the  children  were  enrolled. 

There  were  four  classes,  two  of  each  sex.  Th^ 
class  ages  are  eight  to  ten  and  eleven  to  four- 
teen. There  were  more  boys  than  girls. 
Competent  and  consecrated  teachers  were 
chosen.  The  pastor  outlined  the  course  of 
study  which  consisted  of  two  terms,  each  of 
three  months.  Each  session  was  one  hour  in 
length. 


The  Pastor  as  a  School  Shepherd         ^^ 

The  children  meet  in  a  general  assembly  for  a 
song,  responsive  recital,  a  short  devotional  and 
business  period,  then  repair  for  study  to  sev- 
eral rooms.  Personal  recitations  and  class 
drills  occupy  the  time.  Contests  are  held  be- 
tween sides,  medals  awarded,  and  honour  rec- 
ognitions given. 

The  Junior  Catechism  of  the  Methodist 
Church  is  the  general  basis  of  study.  Other 
junior  handbooks  are  used.  Pupils  are  made 
acquainted  with  the  books  of  the  Bible  and  an 
outline  of  Bible  history.  One  Friday  each 
month  is  devoted  to  missions.  The  heart  of 
each  lesson  is  enforced  with  a  hero  or  other 
illustrated  story  by  the  pastor.  The  children 
are  taught  the  meaning  of  the  covenants  and 
ordinances  of  the  Church,  its  general  rules  and 
the  purpose  of  the  Church  in  the  world. 

7.    Teachers'  Consecration  Services 
The  pastor  can  use  special  public  services  to 
enlist  the  evangelistic  cooperation  of  teachers 
and  officers  in  his  plans  and  to  promote  a  spirit 
of  steady  seeking  after  souls. 

Such  occasions  are  furnished  in  Installation 
Day,  when  new  officers  and  teachers  are  offi- 
cially inducted  into  their  work  at  a  morning 
church  service  after  the  charge  by  the  pastor. 
Another  opportunity  is  on  Rally  Day  morning 
when  all  the  officers  and  teachers  are  seated  in 
a  body  in  the  church  service  and  when  the  pas- 


56      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

tor's  annual  message  to  them  is  given.  A  con- 
secration service  should  follow  which  will  unite 
all  in  the  purpose  to  make  the  year  one  of  fruit- 
ful service  for  Christ. 

A  monthly  prayer  service  of  all  the  teachers 
and  officers  conducted  jointly  by  pastor  and  su- 
perintendent before  or  after  the  Sunday  School 
service  is  still  another  way  of  deepening  the 
spiritual  tone  of  the  workers. 

8.    Developing  Christian  Leadership 

In  Chapter  XIII  detailed  plans  will  be  given 
for  conserving  the  results  of  Christian  decisions 
and  for  training  the  children  and  young  people 
for  intelligent  service  for  Christ. 

I  wish  but  to  mention  here  the  pastor's 
privilege  of  training  his  young  people  for  evan- 
gelistic service  through  a  Personal  Workers' 
Class,  using  any  one  of  a  dozen  books  mentioned 
in  Chapter  XIV.  A  Leadership  Training  Class 
for  Evangelism  and  other  phases  of  Christian 
work  should  be  organized  by  every  pastor  and 
conducted  by  him. 

These  young  people  should  be  put  at  work 
through  personal  prayer  lists,  gospel  chorus  or 
quartette  groups,  holding  services  for  shut-ins 
and  in  many  concrete  ways  give  expression  to 
their  Christian  life. 

Dr.  Henry  H.  Stebbins,  pastor  of  the  Central 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Rochester,  New  York, 
utilized  the  St.  Paul's  Brotherhood,  a  band  of 


The  Pastor  as  a  School  Shepherd         57 

twenty-one  young-  men  of  his  church,  who  were 
organized  for  Christian  work,  by  enhsting  them 
in  a  plan  for  winning  one  hundred  people  for 
Christ  and  the  Church  by  a  given  date.  These 
young  men  organized  a  committee  of  one  hun- 
dred, each  one  pledged  to  bring  in  one  member 
for  the  church.  Forty-nine  days  were  given 
for  the  effort. 

The  Sunday  School  teachers  were  brought 
into  the  group  of  workers  and  the  pastor  sent  to 
each  a  letter  urging  special  effort  with  class 
members.  The  Christian  Endeavour  members 
were  lined  up  through  a  special  message  to 
each. 

Lists  of  names  of  prospects  in  adult  classes, 
and  in  other  relations  to  the  church,  with  ad- 
dresses, were  given  to  the  workers.  A  tactful 
letter  was  sent  by  the  pastor  to  each  of  these 
prospects,  which  really  prepared  the  way  for 
the  workers.  Each  member  of  the  committee 
of  one  hundred  received  an  encouraging  and 
suggestive  letter  from  the  pastor.  The  teach- 
ers were  invited  to  a  special  prayer  service. 

A  day  was  set  to  receive  the  applications  for 
membership.  Before  the  day  for  the  reception 
of  members  one  hundred  and  nineteen  were 
favourably  passed  upon  by  the  church  session, 
as  the  result  of  this  wise  organization  of  the 
young  and  adult  life  of  the  church  for  evan- 
gelistic service. 


VT 

THE  SUPERINTENDENT— THE 
ASSISTANT  SHEPHERD 

THE  superintendent  holds  a  position  that 
is  strategic  in  relation  to  the  evan- 
gelistic work  of  the  school.  His  serv- 
ice is  scarcely  less  responsible  than  that  of  the 
pastor,  with  whom  he  should  work  in  closest 
cooperation.  Frequently  his  relation  to  teacher, 
scholar  and  parent  is  more  intimate  than  that  of 
the  pastor,  especially  in  churches  of  any  size,  for 
he  is  cultivating  closely  a  section  of  the  parish 
work,  while  the  pastor  is  necessarily  limited  in 
his  contacts  by  the  very  breadth  of  his  field. 

The  measure  of  the  superintendent's  influence 
for  spiritual  results  is  unlimited.  Rather  it  is 
limited  only  by  his  own  relationship  to  Christ 
and  a  narrow  comprehension  of  his  program. 
He  stands  at  the  threshold  of  the  scholar's  life 
and  by  his  spirit,  purpose  and  plans  can  practi- 
cally shape  that  life  in  its  choices  and  destiny. 
This  privilege  and  responsibility  he  shares  with 
the  teacher. 

We  shall  consider  some  of  the  special  ways 
in  which  he  can  mould  the  school's  evangelistic 
program. 

S8 


The  Superintendent  59 

I.    The  Power  of  His  Own  Christ-Charged 
Personai^ity 

Peter  Carter,  the  father-in-law  of  James  M. 
Speers  of  New  York,  was  superintendent  of  a 
coloured  mission  school  in  that  city.  Once  a 
visitor  was  telling  the  school  the  story  of  the 
Good  Shepherd.  At  the  close  of  the  story  he 
asked,  "  Children,  who  is  the  Good  Shepherd?  " 
And  with  one  voice  they  answered,  "  Peter  Car- 
ter!" That  superintendent  represented  to 
them  all  that  the  Good  Shepherd  could  be. 

The  superintendent's  smile,  his  hand-shake, 
his  personal  contacts  with  teacher  and  scholar 
and  home,  his  spirit  of  service  and  sacrifice,  his 
enthusiasm  for  Christ,  that  passion  for  souls 
which  is  born  out  of  an  intimate  friendship  with 
Christ — these  form  the  atmosphere  that  carries 
the  school  a  long  ways  toward  its  evangelistic 
goal. 

2.  Atmosphering  the  SchooIv  Session 
The  suggestions  here  made  will  relate  to  that 
evangelistic  spirit  of  the  session  the  year  around 
which  will  promote  continuous  decisions  and 
will  form  the  background  for  the  best  work  on 
Decision  Day  or  other  special  evangelistic  days. 
This  cultural  atmosphere  is  essential  for  the 
promotion  and  the  development  of  strong 
Christian  character.  Such  character  requires 
for   its   backbone    something   more    than    the 


6o      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

sporadic  effect  of  an  overwrought  revival  ap- 
peal. The  special  suggestions  for  Decision  Days 
will  appear  in  later  chapters. 

(a)  Prepare  for  each  session  through  a 
prayer  group  of  olidcers  or  teachers  or  both, 
meeting  for  five  or  ten  minutes  before  the  school 
opening. 

(b)  Hold  a  ten  or  twenty  minute  "  little 
meeting  "  for  testimony,  prayer  and  appeal  fol- 
lowing the  school  session.  To  this  meeting  all 
should  be  invited.  Teachers  should  especially 
invite  scholars  who  are  thinking  seriously  of 
decision  for  Christ.  This  meeting  may  be  held 
each  Sunday,  as  is  the  practice  in  Mr.  Wana- 
maker's  school,  or  it  can  be  held  monthly. 

(c)  Have  such  a  testimony  meeting,  rein- 
forced by  good  music,  an  impressive  solo  once 
a  month,  as  a  part  of  the  school  session,  and 
urge  open  decisions  for  Christ. 

(d)  Hold  an  after  session  meeting  of  ofificers 
and  teachers  only,  for  prayer  for  the  deepening 
of  the  spiritual  life  and  for  prayer  for  specific 
cases  suggested  by  the  teachers.  This  com- 
radeship in  prayer  will  help  many  a  teacher 
who  is  burdened  for  particular  scholars.  It 
will  help  others  who  are  not  sufficiently  in- 
terested in  their  scholars'  spiritual  life  to  be- 
come concerned. 

(e)  Prepare  carefully  for  the  opening  prayer 
in  the  school  session.     This  prayer  should  be 


The  Superintendent  6 1 

comprehensive  in  its  remembrance  of  world 
needs.  It  should  have  a  place  for  the  absent, 
the  sick,  the  straying.  It  should  reveal  a  tender 
interest  in  the  tempted  and  tried  lives  who  have 
been  tested  during  the  week  as  by  fire.  It 
should  betray  concern  lest  any  should  pass  the 
time  of  their  opportunity  unsaved.  It  should 
have  a  note  of  exultation  because  of  confidence 
in  Christ  and  His  sure  triumph.  It  should  be 
natural,  as  one  who  talks  with  his  Father  who 
is  near  and  loved. 

This  prayer  will  have  increased  effect  if  it  is 
followed  by  the  Lord's  prayer,  reverently  sung 
by  the  school  or  department. 

(/)  A  reverent  opening  and  closing  is 
needed  to  strengthen  the  spiritual  impression 
of  the  session.  No  bell  is  necessary  for  this 
opening,  just  a  few  bars  or  a  prelude  by  organ, 
piano  and  orchestra;  then  the  superintendent 
should  arise  with  uplifted  hand,  then  silence  and 
silent  prayer  before  the  opening  hymn. 

At  the  close,  following  the  last  hymn,  all 
should  remain  standing  until  the  benediction 
or  sentence  prayer  is  concluded  and  the  or- 
chestra or  instrument  plays  softly  some  prayer 
hymn  while  heads  are  bowed.  After  that  the 
Amen  can  be  sung  and  then  dismissal. 

(g)  Have  individual  scholars,  classes,  teach- 
ers or  officers  arise  before  the  prayer  is  offered 
and  suggest  special  objects  for  the  prayer  of  the 


62      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

day.  Or  have  these  objects  written  out  and 
sent  to  the  platform  in  advance.  This  practice 
will  surely  give  point  to  the  prayer  and  will  add 
to  the  interest  of  the  scholars  in  the  prayer. 

(h)  Use  the  power  of  music  in  the  session. 
One  Sunday  a  month  devote  to  the  story  of  a 
hymn.  Have  that  hymn  sung  by  the  school  or 
if  a  gospel  hymn,  use  a  soloist.  Material  for 
such  Sundays  can  be  found  in  "  Story  of  the 
Gospel  Hymns"  (Sankey);  ''Thirty-Four 
Memory  Hymns  and  Their  Stories  "  (Wells)  ; 
"  Famous  Hymns  of  the  World  "  (Sutherland)  ; 
"  Story  of  the  Hymns  and  Tunes "  (Butter- 
worth  &  Brown). 

Sing  each  Sunday  one  hymn  suggested  by 
one  of  the  classes.  That  hymn  will  have  spe- 
cial significance  to  that  class  and  the  school  or 
department. 

(i)  Drill  the  department  or  school  on 
pivotal  texts  so  that  the  pupils  can  locate  these 
in  their  own  Bibles  and  recite  them.  These 
texts  should  include 

Confession  of  Sin,  i  John  1 : 9. 
The  Invitation,  Matt.  2:28-31. 
Dangers  of  Delay,  2  Cor.  6 : 2. 
Christ  the  Saviour  from  Sin,  John  3 :  16, 
Becoming  God's  Child,  John  i :  2. 
Confessing  Christ,  Matt.  10 :  32. 
Following  Christ,  John  12:26. 

(/)     Occasionally  utilize  the  lesson  of  the 


The  Superintendent  63 

day,  if  the  Uniform  lesson,  for  an  earnest  ap- 
peal for  decision.  Some  incident  or  illustration 
out  of  the  week  may  furnish  a  basis  for  an  im- 
pression or  appeal. 

(k)  Plan  to  make  an  appeal  on  the  Sunday 
before  communion  or  the  day  set  for  the  recep- 
tion of  members  into  the  church,  so  that 
scholars  may  have  brought  freshly  before  them 
the  expectation  of  their  leaders  that  they  should 
enter  upon  the  Christian  life.  This  appeal 
should  be  graded  if  possible  to  departmental 
groups.  In  my  own  school  it  is  customary  for 
the  pastor,  the  associate  superintendent  and 
myself  to  make  this  appeal  to  the  departments, 
with  excellent  results.  This  should  be  done  at 
other  times  than  before  or  on  Decision  Day  so 
that  the  scholars  should  look  forward  to 
Christian  decision  as  the  normal  thing. 

(/)  Arrange  one  class  in  the  senior  depart- 
ment as  an  elective  class  for  personal  workers. 
Plan  this  as  a  three  months'  course  for  older 
scholars  so  that  they  shall  be  trained  in  methods 
for  soul  winning.  These  scholars  can  return  to 
their  regular  classes  after  the  completion  of  the 
course.  From  this  group  material  can  be  ob- 
tained for  the  School  Committee  on  Evangel- 
ism. 

3.    His  Work  with  Parents 

The  superintendent  must  bring  the  parents 
into  partnership  with  his  effort  to  relate  every 


64      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

scholar  of  the  school  consciously  to  Jesus  Christ 
as  Lord  and  Saviour.  Detailed  methods  for 
enlisting  this  home  cooperation  will  be  given 
later.  We  shall  here  note  as  general  sug- 
gestions: 

(a)  Write  to  each  parent  a  letter  upon  the 
admission  of  the  child  to  Sunday  School  mem- 
bership. This  letter  should  express  the  school's 
pleasure  in  welcoming  the  scholar,  should  in- 
dicate methods  of  home  cooperation  in  the 
school  plans  and  should  invite  the  parents  to 
join  the  fathers'  and  mothers'  classes. 

(b)  The  parent  should  be  visited  soon  after 
by  a  district  visitor,  as  well  as  by  the  teacher, 
and  important  facts  as  to  the  parents'  church 
relationship  or  incHnation  ascertained  and  re- 
ported for  use  by  superintendent  or  pastor. 

(c)  The  home  should  be  enlisted  as  mem- 
bers of  the  Family  Altar  League  as  soon  as 
possible,  that  school  and  home  should  be  one 
in  their  emphasis  upon  a  spiritual  atmosphere. 
The  Family  Altar  emphasis  of  the  Home  De- 
partment will  be  a  means  to  this  end. 

(d)  A  Parents'  Association  should  be  or- 
ganized to  include  parents  by  departmental 
groupings  if  practical.  It  will  be  easy  to  start 
this  plan  with  parents  of  the  Cradle  Roll,  Begin- 
ners' and  Primary  Departments.  The  monthly 
meetings  of  this  association  will  furnish  a 
splendid  opportunity  for  an  occasional  message 


The  Superintendent  65 

by  pastor  or  superintendent  that  will  emphasize 
the  home  privilege  and  responsibility  for  for- 
warding the  Christian  decisions  and  the  Chris- 
tian life  of  the  scholars. 

(c)  An  occasional  letter  to  the  parents, 
signed  by  the  superintendent  or  by  the  pastor 
and  superintendent,  concerning  the  question  of 
cooperation  in  prayer  and  effort  for  Christian 
decision,  will  be  helpful  in  its  reaction  upon  the 
parents  if  not  Christians,  and  in  stimulation  of 
their  active  interest. 

4.    With  His  Teachers 

(a)  The  school  should  secure  a  number  of 
the  books  and  leaflets  suggested  in  Chapter 
XIV.  The  superintendent  should  see  that  the 
Committee  on  Evangelism  distributes  these  for 
reading  at  the  right  time.  No  teacher  can  seri- 
ously read  this  stimulating  material  without  an 
increased  interest  in  the  salvation  of  the 
scholars.  One  superintendent  distributed  to 
each  teacher  at  the  beginning  of  the  summer 
vacations  Moody's  "  Secret  Power  "  and  Trum- 
bull's "  Individual  Work  for  Individuals "  to 
stimulate  the  teachers  for  intensive  work  for 
souls  in  the  fall  days. 

(b)  His  birthday  letters  to  his  teachers  and 
ofHcers  will  furnish  the  opportunity  for  saying 
the  right  word  that  shall  relate  the  teachers 
more  closely  to   Christ  and   to  quicken   their 


66      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

effort  for  the  conversion  of  their  scholars.  With 
this  letter  should  go  some  leaflet,  clipping 
or  booklet  that  shall  be  helpful  on  spiritual 
lines. 

(c)  Occasionally  distribute  to  all  the  teach- 
ers some  such  leaflets  as  "  My  Class  for  Jesus," 
"  Little  Parishes  of  Eight,"  or  others  mentioned 
in  Chapter  XIV.  Make  the  subject  of  this 
leaflet  the  basis  of  discussion  and  prayer  at  the 
teachers'  gathering. 

(d)  Drill  the  teachers  in  pivotal  passages 
and  in  the  use  of  their  Bibles  in  the  work  of 
soul  winning.  These  passages  should  be 
marked  and  should  be  so  well  in  hand  that 
scholars  can  be  pointed  to  Christ  from  the 
Word.  This  drill  can  be  done  in  twenty  min- 
ute gatherings  on  a  week  night  or  on  Sunday. 

(e)  Hold  an  evening  gathering  of  the  teach- 
ers at  the  superintendent's  home  to  discuss  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  the  school. 

Forty-two  of  the  fifty  members  of  the  Rens- 
selaer Street  Bible  School,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  re- 
sponded to  such  an  invitation  from  the  superin- 
tendent. Two  weeks  in  advance  of  the  meet- 
ing the  teachers  were  notified  that  the  following 
topics  would  be  discussed : 

"  How  Develop  a  Spirit  of  Respect  in,  and 
Control  of,  the  Scholars";  "Instilling  the 
Fundamental  Truth  that  the  Bible  is  the  Word 
of  God";  "Why  More  Scholars  are  not  Con- 


The  Superintendent  67 

verted";  "The  Power  of  United  Prayer"; 
"  Making  the  Manliness  and  Womanliness  of 
the  Christian  Life  a  Feature  of  Teaching." 

A  teacher  opened  the  discussion  on  each  topic. 
The  discussion  was  general  and  the  interest 
eager.  The  consideration  of  "  Why  More 
Scholars  are  not  Converted  "  was  particularly 
searching.  The  lack  of  earnest  prayer,  feeble- 
ness in  bringing  the  word  of  God  home  to  the 
individual,  sluggishness  in  the  spiritual  life  of 
the  teacher,  were  among  the  reasons  given. 

Three  hours  were  consumed  in  the  considera- 
tion of  these  topics,  and  these  teachers  went  to 
their  task  with  new  vision  and  purpose  as  the 
result. 

(/)  Have  the  teachers  sign  a  card  covenant- 
ing to  pray  for  each  other  and  for  the  scholars 
and  homes  of  the  entire  school.  This  covenant 
may  include  a  purpose  to  work  for  the  decision 
of  an  agreed  number  of  scholars  by  a  date  that 
shall  be  set. 

5.  With  His  Scholars 
Most  superintendents  are  to  their  scholars, 
both  during  Sunday  School  days  and  in  the  long 
years  beyond,  a  standard,  an  example,  and  an 
inspiration.  The  father,  the  teacher,  the  pastor 
and  the  superintendent  compose  the  quartet  of 
men  who  shape  ninety  per  cent,  of  the  boys* 
ideals  and  character.     This  is  inevitable. 


68      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

How  can  the  superintendent  effectively  do 
his  part  in  affecting  the  boys'  and  girls'  deci- 
sions for  Christ? 

(a)  There  must  be  evidence  of  a  real  friend- 
ship for  them.  This  will  appear  in  the  hearti- 
ness of  the  hand-clasp,  an  interest  in  them  if 
absent  or  sick,  in  noting  from  the  platform  or 
by  word  or  letter  any  special  event  in  their  lives, 
in  a  personal  birthday  letter,  in  an  interest  in, 
and  provision  for,  their  employment  life. 

These  practical  lines  of  relationship  will  give 
a  power  and  drive  to  the  personal  word  of 
invitation  to  Christ  that  will  carry  the  message 
home  and  practically  insure  results. 

(b)  The  superintendent  should  know  who, 
and  how  many,  over  twelve  years  of  age  in  the 
school,  are  not  members  of  the  church.  This 
list  will  be  the  one  to  cultivate  through  special 
letters  and  especially  for  Decision  Day.  He 
should  keep  this  list  checked  up.  The  pastor 
will  have  a  similar  record  and  also  the  Commit- 
tee on  Evangelism. 

(c)  Cooperate  with  the  pastor  in  inviting  the 
scholars  to  the  home  for  individual  talks  re- 
garding their  life-work,  their  relationship  to 
Christ,  their  reading,  etc.  A  word  of  prayer 
at  the  close  will  help  to  deepen  the  impression 
of  such  a  talk.  It  will  be  lifelong  in  its  memory 
and  influence. 

(d)  Occasionally  distribute  to  the  scholars 


The  Superintendent  69 

character  and  decision  stimulating  leaflets  or 
reprints.  The  special  leaflets  for  Decision  Day 
will  be  suggested  later. 

6.    His  Week-day  Work 

(a)  Confer  with  the  pastor  and  the  Com- 
mittee on  Sunday  School  Evangelism  concern- 
ing plans  for  a  school  forward  movement  for 
spiritual  results.  The  plans  and  goals  formed 
by  this  conference  should  be  presented  to  the 
Teachers'  Council  for  their  understanding  and 
acceptance. 

(b)  Use  the  special  days  of  the  year  as  the 
opportunity  for  preparing  messages  to  the 
teachers  that  should  focus  in  the  main  drive  of 
the  school,  to  shape  character  for  Christ  and 
His  service. 

(c)  The  superintendent's  personal  visitation 
of  the  homes  of  the  scholars  for  acquaintance, 
for  conference  and  prayer  will  be  the  very  best 
investment  of  his  spare  time. 

This  may  seem  a  big  task,  but  with  a  school 
of  two  thousand  I  made  it  a  point  to  spend  one 
to  two  hours  of  every  week  day  after  business 
in  such  visitation.  The  results  in  spiritual 
quickening  of  the  school  life  I  believe  justified 
this  outlay  of  strength  and  time. 


VII 

THE  TEACHER— THE  UNDER 
SHEPHERD 

"'W'W'  THEN  it  comes  to  winning  souls  in 

\/%/     the   Sunday   School   the   pastor   is 
*     '       across  the  street,  the  superintend- 
ent is  at  arm's  length,  but  the  teacher  is  face  to 
face." 

So  probable  are  the  results  in  the  Christian 
decision  of  scholars  where  the  teacher  rightly 
uses  his  or  her  influence  and  opportunity,  that 
it  is  not  a  case  of  if  the  scholar  can  be  saved — 
but  when  and  how. 

Owing  to  the  non-Christian  attitude  of  so 
many  of  the  homes  from  which  the  scholars 
come,  or  the  inability  or  indifference  of  nom- 
inally Christian  parents  in  guiding  their  chil- 
dren to  Christ,  the  teacher,  in  possibly  a  ma- 
jority of  cases,  is  the  vital  link  in  determining 
the  Christian  life  of  the  scholar. 

Ten  evangelists  said  that  the  teacher  is  the 
key  to  evangelism  in  the  church. 

Sunday  School  teaching  is  absolutely  essen- 
tial to  Christian  character.  It  is  the  greatest 
thing  in  the  world  in  the  making  of  character. 

70 


The  Teacher  71 

The  teacher  is  the  pastor's  under  shepherd,  is 
closest  to  a  section  of  his  flock.  Dr.  Schauffler 
was  accustomed  to  place  great  dependence 
upon  his  teachers,  who  regularly  reported  to 
him  the  spiritual  condition  of  each  member  of 
the  class,  the  situation  in  the  home,  and  espe- 
cially the  straying  member  who  needed  at  once 
the  attention  of  the  chief  shepherd. 


I.    Factors  in  the  Teacher's  Evangelistic 

Success 

(a)  The  character  of  the  teacher. 

"  Evangelism  is  the  communicating  of  truth 
through  the  personality  and  character  of  the 
.teacher  so  as  to  bring  about  discipleship  "  (Dr. 
Mullins).  That  character  cannot  fail  of  its  im- 
pression if  it  is  lived  in  conscious  companionship 
with  Christ.  "  He  is  all  that  you  say  of  him," 
said  one,  "but  somehow  he  does  not  remind 
me  of  Christ." 

(b)  The  teacher's  passion. 

"  The  aim,  passion,  purpose  and  effort  of  the 
teacher  is  to  bring  Christ  into  the  Ufe  of  the 
scholar"  (Dr.  Mullins).  Is  our  teaching  his- 
tory, geography  or  Christ?  Its  purpose  should 
be  to  produce  in  the  scholar  the  love  and  the 
likeness  of  Christ.  The  constraining  love  of 
Christ  must  be  the  teacher's  passion. 


72       Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

A  young  man  said  to  Dr.  Mead  one  night  in 
Boston,  "  I  know  what  you  mean.  I've  lost 
my  passion." 

President  Benjamin  Harrison  left  his  house 
one  night  at  eleven  o'clock  and  talked  with  a 
young  man  about  Christ  until  two  in  the  morn- 
ing. Christ  talked  to  the  people,  forgetting 
hunger,  until  reminded  by  His  disciples  that 
the  people  might  need  to  eat.  "  I  have  meat  to 
eat  that  ye  know  not  of." 


(c)     The  teacher's  vision. 

That  vision  must  be  twofold.  There  must 
be  a  comprehension  of  Christ  in  his  person,  life 
and  work,  a  joy  in  his  close,  personal  relation- 
ship, a  reflection  of  the  mountain-top  experi- 
ence. "  Oh  man,  with  heaven  in  your  face, 
help  me." 

Then  there  must  be  a  vision  of  the  possi- 
bilities of  Christian  character  and  service  that 
lie  within  every  scholar,  no  matter  how  un- 
promising. The  teacher,  with  sure  hand  and 
faith  in  the  scholar,  is  to  unlock  those  possi- 
bilities and  guide  them  to  fruition.  "  Frank,  I 
have  confidence  in  you,"  was  said  to  me  by  a 
faithful  pastor  in  my  older  boyhood.  That  word 
unfolded  some  latent  powers  in  my  life.  I  de- 
termined not  to  disappoint  the  faith  in  me  of 
that  man. 


The  Teacher  73 

(d)  Making  the  cross  central. 

Ralph  Wells,  one  of  New  York's  master 
teachers,  once  went  to  his  pastor,  Dr.  Alex- 
ander, to  ask  him  the  secret  of  successful 
evangelism.  Dr.  Alexander  replied:  *' Young 
man,  if  you  would  win  souls,  make  much  of  the 
blood." 

The  atonement  of  Christ  for  sin,  the  meaning 
and  power  of  the  cross  must  be  at  the  heart  of 
our  experience  and  teaching.  A  little  girl  was 
found  weeping  during  a  meeting.  Asked  for 
the  reason  she  said,  "  I  did  not  know  before  that 
it  was  my  sin  that  crucified  Jesus." 

(e)  Love  much. 

"  I  first  learned  to  love  my  teacher,  then  I 
learned  to  love  my  teacher's  Bible,  then  I 
learned  to  love  my  teacher's  Saviour."  This 
was  the  testimony  of  a  Sunday  School  girl.  It 
is  the  inevitable  experience.  Only  love  can 
reveal  the  heart  of  the  Lover  of  Souls,  of  a  love 
so  great  that  it  satisfies  all  men  everywhere. 
The  centuries  cannot  outgrow  its  need. 

A  personal  love  for  each  member  of  the  class, 
an  individualizing  of  them  in  that  class  photo- 
graph gallery  which  should  be  ever  with  the 
teacher,  is  basic  for  soul  winning. 

(f)  The  teacher's  personal  testimony. 

Some  time  in  the  course  of  the  teaching  the 


74      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

testimony  of  the  teacher  as  to  how  Christ  came 
into  his  life,  what  Christ  is  to  him  as  a  real 
presence  and  friend,  will  count  in  bringing  the 
terms  of  religion  within  the  compass  of  the 
scholar's  thinking.  "  Christ  within,  the  hope 
of  glory,"  the  Christ  concreted  in  the  teacher's 
life,  visualizes  the  Gospel  beyond  question. 

(g)     His  emphasis  upon  prayer. 

I  was  once  as  a  boy  detained  from  Sunday 
School  by  a  severe  illness.  My  teacher  came 
after  school  bringing  with  him  one  or  two  boys 
of  the  class.  He  was  a  big  man  as  to  stature, 
voice,  heart.  He  prayed  with  me.  That 
prayer  has  been  ringing  down  the  years. 
Joshua  Rogers  will  never  be  forgotten  while  life 
lasts. 

"  One  prayer  zvith  a  boy  is  worth  forty  about 
him." 

(h)     His  example, 

"The  life  of  the  teacher  is  the  life  of  his 
teaching."  That  fine  book  by  Bishop  Hunt- 
ington, "  Unconscious  Tuition,"  speaks  of  the 
great  influence  of  the  acts  of  the  teacher.  After 
all,  the  lessons,  the  things  taught  by  our  teach- 
ers, are  little  remembered,  but  out  of  the  mist 
of  the  years  there  looms  the  shining  of  his  face, 
some  faithfulness  of  life,  something  done  be- 
cause of  a  principle  of  conduct  that  sticks  fast. 


The  Teacher  75 

Jesus  said,  "  Follow  Mc."  His  disciples  were 
called  followers  of  the  Master.  Will  our  schol- 
ars walk  safely,  and  to  the  heights  of  Christian 
living,  if  they  follow  us? 

(i)     His  natiiralldng  of  religion. 

There  is  no  reason  why  Christianity,  which 
is  a  Hfe  and  relationship  and  not  a  form,  should 
be  presented  in  other  than  the  terms  of  life. 
There  is  every  reason  why  "  holy  tones  "  should 
be  avoided,  together  with  an  "  I'm  hoHer  than 
thou  "  attitude.  Christ  lived  His  life  among  us 
as  one  of  us.  He  ate,  laughed,  sang,  played, 
responded  to  every  phase  of  nature,  loved 
greatly,  rejoiced  in  His  friendships,  conceived 
of  all  Hfe  as  shot  through  with  a  great  purpose 
and  goal. 

Young  people  are  likely  to  fear  religion  as 
extraneous,  unnatural,  strange,  a  thing  apart 
from  their  daily  line  of  thinking  and  acting,  an 
interference  with  the  natural  plans  of  life — un- 
less we  shall  make  Christ  real  and  His  pro- 
gram a  necessity  for  our  best  living.  A  teacher 
has  here  a  great  opportunity.  One  week  spent 
by  a  teacher  with  his  boys  in  camp  life  will  be 
worth  for  him  and  them  years  of  sermonizing. 

(j)     His  acquaintance  with  the  Book. 
There  is  no  greater  contribution  the  teacher 
can  make  to  the  spiritual  toning  of  the  scholar's 


76      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

life  than  to  lead  him  through  the  rich  pastures 
of  the  Word,  to  point  out  its  mountains,  its 
mines,  its  still  waters,  its  rivers,  to  make  the 
Book  experiences  companion  and  inspiration. 

His  own  Bible  should  be  marked.  He  should 
have  it  with  him  in  the  class.  He  should  see 
that  the  scholars  bring  their  Bibles  and  mark 
them.  He  should  conduct  Bible  drills  and  con- 
tests at  his  home  or  in  the  class  on  something 
of  the  following  plan,  possibly,  and  these  drills 
should  include  some  of  salvation's  pivotal  texts. 
These  drills  may  include  the  following: 

Find  the  Ten  Commandments,  the  Shepherd 
Psalm,  Moses'  Psalm,  Sermon  on  the  Mount, 
gallery  of  faith's  heroes. 

Find  the  verse  "  All  have  sinned  and  come 
short  of  the  glory  of  God."  Where  located? 
Locate  the  verse  as  to  sin's  penalty.  Read  it. 
Find  the  redemption  verse.  Where?  What? 
Find  a  verse  on  love,  prayer,  faith.  Find  the 
Sin  Chapter  fRom.  3) ;  Atonement  Chapter 
(Isaiah  53);  New  Birth  Chapter  (John  3); 
Purity  Chapter  (Ezek.  36);  Love  Chapter 
(1  Cor.  13)  ;  Abiding  Chapter  (John  15). 

Alphabetical  Drill:  A — All  have  sinned 
(Rom.  3:23);  B— Behold  the  Lamb  of  God 
(John  1:29);  C— Come  unto  Me  (Matt.  11: 
28);  D— Draw  nigh  to  God  (John  4:8); 
E — Enter  ye  in  at  the  straight  gate  (Matt. 
7:13). 


The  Teacher  77 

'(k)     His  study  of  the  individual  scholar. 

Christ  changed  the  manner  of  His  approach 
and  training  according  to  the  character  and 
need  of  the  individual  disciple.  His  approaches 
to  John,  Zaccheus,  Nathaniel,  were  adapted  to 
the  temperament  and  experience  of  these  men. 

The  soul-winning  teacher  studies  the  apti- 
tudes of  his  scholars  as  an  expert  fisherman 
studies  bait  for,  and  the  habitat  of,  the  fish, 

2.  Literature  for  the  Teacher 
In  Chapter  XIV  will  be  found  suggestion  of 
books  for  the  enrichment  of  the  teacher's  spir- 
itual life,  and  suggestive  in  his  work  of  dealing 
with  the  difficulties  met  with,  and  the  develop- 
ment of  Christian  character,  in  the  scholars. 

3.    His  Sunday  Opportunity 

In  the  chapters  relating  to  Decision  Day  and 
the  school's  special  days  for  evangelistic  effort 
we  shall  deal  in  detail  with  the  teacher's  part 
in  relation  to  that  united  effort. 

With  the  teacher,  however,  as  with  the  super- 
intendent, it  is  the  Sunday  by  Sunday  deep 
plowing  and  seed  sowing  and  watering  with 
tears  and  prayers  and  sympathy  that  make  pos- 
sible the  harvest  gathered  on  these  special  days. 
The  observance  of  a  few  simple  plans  will  have 
much  to  do  in  creating  this  background  for  de- 
cision. 


78      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

(a)     Be  on  hand  promptly. 

Mr.  Lawrance  says  truly,  "  No  moment  is  so 
important  to  the  teacher,  and  no  opportunity  so 
priceless,  as  when  the  scholars  are  assembling. 
This  is  the  teacher's  golden  chance,  and  the 
teacher  should  be  the  Urst  one  there.''  The  cor- 
dial hand-shake,  the  word  of  inquiry  as  to  the 
home  or  the  week's  work  or  some  special  event 
of  the  week,  establishes  the  contacts  that  make 
possible  a  good  lesson  and  a  sympathetic  com- 
radeship in  the  lesson  discussions. 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  fifty  per  cent, 
of  progress  has  been  made  toward  a  fine  lesson 
by  the  teacher  who  is  at  his  post  before  the 
scholars  to  create  the  right  atmosphere  and 
contacts. 

(h)  Have  a  word  of  prayer  before  and  after  the 
lesson. 

A  Brooklyn  teacher,  Mr.  Hollenbeck,  had  a 
class  of  boys  in  a  Mission  Sunday  School.  One 
Sunday  he  was  absent  and  a  stranger  filled  his 
place.  As  this  substitute  began  the  lesson  one 
of  the  boys  said,  "  Mister,  our  teacher  always 
begins  with  prayer." 

This  prayer  atmosphere  is  a  fine  preparation 
for  the  teaching  as  the  guidance  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  and  the  presence  of  the  Great  Teacher 
are  sought  in  unfolding  the  truth.  And  there 
is  no  better  way  of  clinching  the  lesson  impres- 


The  Teacher  79 

sion  than  a  bit  of  prayer  at  the  close,  that  the 
heart  of  the  lesson  may  be  driven  home  and  the 
class  be  led  to  live  out  that  lesson  in  the  life  of 
the  coming  week.  If  some  one  of  the  scholars 
shall  lead  in  prayer,  so  much  the  better. 

(c)  Give  to  each  scholar  some  weekly  work. 
This  may  not  involve  a  lot  of  time  on  the  part 

of  the  scholar,  but  it  is  important  in  personaliz- 
ing the  lesson.  Some  Scripture  reference  may 
be  used  or  some  geographical  or  historical  set- 
ting. Be  sure  that  this  reference  is  asked  for 
on  the  following  Sunday. 

(d)  Give  some  Bible  drill  work. 

A  very  few  minutes  in  this  will  give  a  change 
in  the  routine  and  the  exercise  may  well  lead 
up  to  some  Scripture  that  opens  up  the  heart  of 
the  lesson. 

(e)  Utilize  the  moments  after  the  session. 

It  may  be  that  some  scholar  may  have  mani- 
fested a  special  interest  during  the  lesson  and 
this  time  of  aroused  attention  may  be  used  in 
bringing  the  life  to  decision.  Possibly  a  letter 
has  been  written  to  a  scholar  during  the  week 
with  an  appeal  to  decide  the  great  question  and 
the  decision  should  then  be  pressed  home.  Or 
it  may  be  that  the  interest  of  several  of  the 
Christian  scholars  should  be  enlisted,  through 
a  little  effort,  on  behalf  of  a  "  win  one  "  plan, 


8o      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

with   the  purpose  of  influencing  some   unde- 
cided members  of  the  class. 


4.    The  Home  Touch 

Dr.  George  W.  Bailey  said:  "A  very  large 
percentage  and,  in  most  schools,  a  majority  of 
the  scholars,  come  from  homes  where  the  Scrip- 
tures are  not  taught,  the  subject  of  religion  is 
seldom  discussed,  family  worship  is  not  ob- 
served, and  at  best,  the  attitude  of  the  family 
is  one  of  indifference  toward  Jesus  Christ  and 
the  sacrifice  which  He  made  for  sinners.  The 
only  religious  instruction  received  by  this  class 
of  scholars  is  that  which  comes  to  them  through 
the  agency  of  the  Sunday  School." 

The  fact  that  the  scholars  from  such  homes 
are  in  the  Sunday  School  constitutes  the 
teacher's  opportunity.  How  can  these  home 
contacts  be  multiplied? 

(a)     Visit  the  home. 

The  inside  of  the  pupil's  parlour  or  living-, 
room  should  be  as  familiar  to  the  teacher  as  the 
teacher's  parlour  or  living-room  should  be  fa- 
miliar to  the  scholar. 

A  discouraged  teacher  went  to  the  mother  of 
the  boy  whose  mischievous  spirit  in  the  class 
had  been  the  chief  source  of  his  trouble,  to  tell 
that  mother  that  he  could  do  nothing  with  the 
boy.     And  the  mother  made  answer,  "  I  can  do 


The  Teacher  8l 

nothing  with  him  either.  Just  look  at  the  walls 
of  this  kitchen."  And  the  teacher  saw  all 
around  those  walls  outHnes  of  animals  which 
the  boy  had  drawn  when  the  mother  was  out 
of  the  room.  The  teacher  caught  an  inspira- 
tion from  those  pictures.  On  the  next  Sunday- 
he  was  there  before  the  boy,  with  pencil  and 
pad.  He  said:  "Jim,  I  understand  you  are 
quite  an  artist!  "  The  boy  braced  up.  "  Per- 
haps I  can  draw  a  little."  "  Can  you  draw  this 
coast  line  of  Palestine  for  me?"  "I'll  try." 
"  Now  that  crooked  river  Jordan."  "  Now  the 
Dead  Sea/'  "  And  that  city  of  Jerusalem." 
"And  just  over  the  hill,  Bethany."  And  step 
by  step  that  boy  and  the  others  were  led  into 
the  heart  of  the  lesson. 

The  fact  that  teacher  has  been  to  his  home 
gives  a  new  interest  to  the  boy  in  that  teacher. 
And  the  visit  to  the  home,  and  a  knowledge  of 
its  conditions  will  give  added  patience  and  un- 
derstanding to  the  teacher  in  reaching  that  boy. 

If  the  teacher  can  pray  with  the  mother  and 
father  that  they  and  he  shall  be  wisely  guided  in 
building  the  boy's  life  into  Christ  and  a  noble 
manhood,  a  new  cooperative  link  has  been  es- 
tablished. 

(b)     Have  a  parents'  social  at  the  home. 
One  wise  teacher  in  my  school  makes  it  a 
practice  to  have  at  least  one  annual  affair  for 


82      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

her  girls  and  their  mothers.  Needless  to  say 
that  this  furnishes  an  opportunity  for  further 
work  with  those  mothers  on  behalf  of  their 
girls.  And  that  teacher,  because  she  followed 
up  the  employment  life  of  her  girls  and  encour- 
aged them  to  talk  freely  of  their  interests,  was 
able  to  help  both  mothers  and  girls  and  to 
shield  those  girls  from  some  special  temptations 
that  assailed  them  in  their  business  life. 

(c)  Call  on  the  sick  or  absent. 

A  shepherd  who  does  not  miss  one  of  the 
flock,  or  who,  if  the  member  is  missed,  does  not 
seek  it  out,  is  unworthy  of  his  calling. 

A  boy,  very  regular  in  Sunday  School  attend- 
ance, was  absent  for  a  few  weeks.  The  teacher 
simply  marked  "  Left "  in  the  class  book  with- 
out seeking  the  cause  of  the  absence.  The  su- 
perintendent noticed  the  word  and,  not  satis- 
fied, called  at  the  home  of  that  boy.  He  found 
him  in  the  delirium  of  a  fever,  calling  the  name 
of  his  teacher.  The  superintendent  wrote  after 
the  word  "  Left  " — "  by  an  indifferent  teacher  to 
die,  from  an  accident,  at  No. Street." 

Worst  of  all,  a  great  opportunity  to  tie  that 
boy  "  with  hooks  of  steel "  to  that  teacher  and 
to  Christ  had  been  lost. 

(d)  The  home  letter. 

This  might  be  written  to  parents  when  the 


The  Teacher  83 

scholar  joins  the  class,  or  to  invite  them  to  some 
special  school  function,  or  to  ask  special  coop- 
eration in  prayer  for  the  scholar's  Christian  de- 
cision, or  to  suggest  plans  for  daily  family 
worship  in  the  home,  outlining  some  daily  Bible 
home  readings  to  be  read  aloud  in  the  home. 
That  letter,  whatever  its  subject,  if  written  in 
the  right  spirit,  will  be  read  and  reread.  If 
some  bit  of  helpful  reading,  in  heading  that 
home  for  Christian  living,  can  be  enclosed,  an- 
other link  has  been  forged  in  the  teacher's 
Christian  service  to  that  home. 

5.  The  Week-day  Outreach 
The  teacher  whose  sole  interest  in  the  scholar 
is  confined  to  the  half-hour's  teaching  on  Sun- 
day is  a  failure.  In  fact,  he  has  not  half  taught, 
for  the  teaching  of  the  life  in  the  week-day 
touch  is  as  essential  as  the  teaching  of  the  lip, 
if  the  result  aimed  at  is  character  formation. 

I  am  perfectly  aware  that  many  teachers,  be- 
cause of  their  week-day  vocations,  are  prevented 
from  giving  much  time  to  class  interests.  But 
after  all  where  there  is  a  will  a  good  deal  can 
be  done  both  with  individuals  in  the  class  and 
with  the  class  collectively.  The  purpose  to  help 
will  find  a  way.  And  all  of  this  interest,  from 
the  very  fact  that  the  teacher  is  busy,  has  added 
value.  May  I  suggest  a  few  things  that  can  be 
done  even  by  busy  people. 


84      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

(a)     Write  a  letter. 

This  can  be  done  when  the  scholar  is  away, 
or  you  are  away,  in  the  summer  time.  It  will 
mean  much  if  the  message  comes  in  the  form  of 
cards  during  Christmas,  Easter,  etc.  Rally  Day 
gives  another  line  opportunity  for  enlisting  by 
a  letter  for  a  new  start.  For  Decision  Day  a 
letter  is  invaluable. 

The  birthday  furnishes  a  choice  time  for  a 
direct  appeal.  A  sixteen-year-old  boy  had  re- 
ceived such  a  birthday  letter  from  his  teacher. 
In  it  she  urged  the  day  as  a  great  time  for  a  Hfe 
decision  for  Christ.  The  boy  took  the  letter  to 
his  mother  and  said  that  he  would  follow  that 
teacher's  loving  suggestion  by  surrendering  to 
Christ. 

It  was  a  letter  of  this  sort  that  changed  the 
life  course  of  Henry  Clay  Trumbull,  of  The 
Sunday  School  Times.  A  letter  from  a  friend, 
Edmund  D.  Stanton,  reached  him  while  Trum- 
bull was  a  railroad  office  clerk  at  Hartford.  In 
that  letter  Stanton  said  in  part: 

"  I  have  been  too  long  silent.  .  .  .  Often 
have  I  felt  like  speaking  to  you  on  this  subject, 
but  as  often  have  timidity  and  fear  kept  me 
back.  We  have  been  companions  and  intinig,te 
friends  for  years.  .  .  .  Seldom  has  a  harsh 
word,  or  an  unkind  feeling,  marred  the  har- 
mony of  our  intercourse.  Do  be  persuaded  by 
me.     If  I  could  be  the  instrument,  however 


The  Teacher  8j: 

humble,  and  to  however  smair^an* extent, 'of 
leading  you  to  think  seriously  of  this,  I  should 
consider  that  I  had  more  than  repaid  your  kind- 
ness and  interest  in  me.  Let  me  beg  you,  by 
the  remembrance  of  our  friendship,  but  more 
than  all,  by  the  regard  for  your  own  good,  think 
of  these  things.     .     .     ." 

Trumbull  was  touched  deeply  by  his  friend's 
letter,  fell  on  his  knees  in  confession,  and  took 
the  first  step  to  Christ.  We  do  not  wonder 
that  he  became  one  of  God's  master  workmen 
in  reaching  individuals  and  that  "  Individual 
Work  for  Individuals  "  should  have  come  from 
his  pen  and  experience. 

(6)     Utili:;e  the  social  life. 

Young  people  love  a  good  time.  The  social 
door  is  a  direct  entrance  into  their  life.  When 
I  had  a  class  of  fourteen-year-old  boys,  years 
ago,  I  made  it  a  point  to  have  them  once  a 
month  at  my  home  for  some  eats  and  games. 
One  night  the  boys  were  playing  a  game  of  roll- 
ing big  agates  on  the  parlour  carpet,  these 
agates  stopping  as  near  as  possible  to  a  mark. 
In  their  interest  they  forgot  the  carpet  and  dug 
big  ridges  in  it  with  their  shoe  tips.  The  next 
morning  Mrs.  Brown,  then  a  young  bride,  came 
down  with  me  to  the  parlour.  "  Oh,  Frank,  my 
carpet,  my  carpet!"  "Yes,  my  dear,  but  my 
boys,  my  boys !     I  think  we've  got  the  boys !  '* 


86      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Twenty-five  years  after,  a  popular  judge  asked 
me  to  sit  beside  him  on  the  bench  while  he  sen- 
tenced the  young  prisoners.  Always  his  first 
question  was:  "  Did  you  go  to  Sunday  School? 
.Why  did  you  leave  it?  Why  did  you  get  away 
from  the  influence  of  your  teacher?  If  I  give 
you  another  chance  will  you  go  back  to  your 
teacher  and  to  the  school?  "  He  told  me  that 
rarely  did  the  boys  come  before  him  again  after 
that  advice.  And  later  he  introduced  me  to  a 
judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  as  his  old  Sunday 
School  teacher.  He  was  one  of  those  boys  who 
dug  up  our  parlour  carpet  years  before.  And  I 
said,  "  What's  a  mile  of  carpet  to  a  yard  or  two 
of  boy?" 

These  social  times  can  be  used  in  the  playing 
of  Bible  games,  scores  of  which  are  now  on  the 
market,  and  help  to  fasten  Bible  verses  and 
facts. 

(c)     Take  an  interest  in  their  employment  life. 

If  they  are  not  old  enough  to  be  employed 
find  out  the  things  they  are  doing  during  the 
week  and  suggest  forms  of  interesting  employ- 
ment of  their  time.  Especially  teach  them  to 
carry  some  real  task  each  day  in  the  home  so 
that  they  shall  be  making  some  contribution  to 
the  home  life. 

If  they  are  starting  in  business  or  are  think- 
ing of  some  form  of  Christian  life  service  coun- 


The  Teacher  87 

sel  with  them  and  launch  them  in  the  right  task 
if  possible.  Then  follow  them  up  with  your 
interest.  Mrs.  Schauffler  had  a  class  of  young 
ladies  in  the  Sunday  School.  One  of  the  girls 
worked  in  Huyler's.  Mrs.  Schauffler  would 
sometimes  call  at  the  store,  pass  a  rose  over 
the  counter  to  the  girl  with  a  smile  and  a 
cheery  word,  "  I'll  see  you  next  Sunday,"  and 
would  then  be  off.  Do  you  think  that  flower 
ever  faded  from  that  girl's  memory? 


(d)  Make  home  appointments. 

Nicodemus  came  to  Christ  by  night.  Soul 
business  was  transacted.  Scholars  can  escape 
conviction  under  collective  teaching,  but  alone, 
face  to  face  with  the  teacher,  under  the  soften- 
ing influences  of  the  home  atmosphere,  the 
issue  cannot  be  dodged.  Tactfully,  step  by 
step,  any  young  life  can  be  led,  until  it  faces  the 
Saviour  and  says,  "  Lord,  I  take  Thee  to  be  my 
Saviour.  I  give  Thee  myself  in  a  life  friendship 
and  service," 

Hand-picked  fruit  counts  for  more  than  wind- 
falls. 

(e)  follow  the  scholars'  reading. 

Study  up  the  choicest  books  that  will  interest 
the  age  of  your  scholars.  Buy  those  books  for 
circulation  among  them  or  suggest  the  names 


88      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

of  the  books  so  that  they  can  be  secured  at  the 
pubhc  library.  Remember  the  tremendous 
power  of  the  best  books  in  shaping  Ufe  ideals 
and  utilize  this  influence  for  character  building. 

6.    Fruit-bearing 

"He  that  abideth  in  me,  and  I  in  him,  the 
same  bringeth  forth  much  fruit." 

In  my  Sunday  School  I  had  a  teacher  who 
had  brought  three  different  classes  to  Christ. 
T  shall  never  forget  her  radiant  face  as  she  saw 
the  last  girl  of  the  last  class  definitely  commit- 
ting herself  to  Christ.  I  asked  this  teacher, 
"  Kate,  how  do  you  do  it?  "  And  she  answered, 
"  Mr.  Brown,  I  remember  every  one  of  my  girls 
every  day,  by  name,  in  prayer." 

Another  teacher,  a  lady,  had  a  class  of  sixteen 
to  eighteen  year  old  boys.  She  loved  them. 
They  loved  her.  She  was  homely  but  her  face 
shone  by  the  power  of  the  inner  light.  One  by 
one  these  boys  confessed  Christ  and  joined  the 
church.  There  were  four  still  undecided.  She 
was  a  mother  to  their  souls.  Soon  she  came 
and  said  that  only  three  were  holding  out, — then 
two.  And  now  it  was  down  to  Bob.  And  her 
face  beamed  as  she  brought  Bob  as  the  last 
sheaf.  And  she  sat  by  those  stalwart  chaps  in 
the  front  of  the  church  at  that  communion  serv- 
ice and  they  lined  up  with  her  at  the  altar,  one 
of  the  sights  to  make  angels  glad. 


The  Teacher  89 

Years  ago  Dr.  Schauffler  was  raising  a  fund 
of  $100,000  for  the  Sunday  School  Work  of  the 
New  York  State  Sunday  School  Association. 
An  ex-Mayor  of  New  York,  Mr.  Ely,  had  given 
$50,000  of  this  because  of  what  the  Sunday 
School  was  to  him  as  a  boy.  Mrs.  Russell  Sage 
gave  $5,000  to  Dr.  Schauffler,  saying,  "The 
Sunday  School  meant  everything  to  my  life  as 
a  girl.  I  later  had  a  class  of  girls.  Every  one 
of  these  girls  gave  her  heart  to  Christ  and  came 
into  the  church."  And  one  of  those  girls  was 
Helen  Gould.  Three  great  givers,  the  result  of 
the  faithful  work  of  consecrated  teachers. 

Ayoung  business  man  of  Buffalo  had  a  class  of 
nearly  five  hundred  young  men,  from  sixteen  to 
twenty-three  years  of  age.  Hundreds  of  those 
young  men  were  won  to  Christ.  His  pastor, 
Dr.  Gifford,  gave  as  the  reason  that  this  teacher 
was  a  past  master  in  the  art  of  prayer.  I  met 
this  teacher  one  day  as  he  came  to  a  Sunday 
School  convention  at  Saratoga.  His  face  was 
shining.  He  said:  "I  had  a  chance  to  speak 
to  four  young  men  about  Christ  on  the  way  to 
this  meeting.  Oh,  how  I  love  these  young 
men! " 

Dr.  Edgar  Blake  tells  of  a  stenographer  who 
took  a  class  for  him  one  Sunday  as  a  substitute, 
then  another  and  another  until  she  had  a  class 
of  three  boys  whom  folks  called  "  bad."  But 
she  saw  in  them  values  that  others  failed  to  see. 


9©      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Soon  the  class  grew  to  twenty-three  and  twen- 
ty-two of  these  were  won  to  Christ  by  her  work. 

An  old  man  in  New  York  went  back  from  a 
Sunday  School  institute  to  his  Sunday  School 
and  asked  for  a  class.  It  grew  from  six  to 
twenty-six.  Twenty  of  these  were  won  to 
Christ  by  his  faithful  calling  upon  these  boys  at 
their  homes. 

A  teacher  of  fifteen  boys  spent  two  weeks  at 
camp  with  the  boys.  He  spoke  to  each  of  them 
about  Christ.  On  the  Sunday  of  his  return 
thirteen  of  the  fifteen  joined  the  church. 


VIII 
HOME  COOPERATION  IN  EVANGELISM 

IN  previous  chapters  we  have  suggested 
plans  by  Mrhich  the  pastor,  the  superin- 
tendent and  the  teacher  may  touch  the 
home  in  order  that  the  scholar  shall  be  effect- 
ively reached  for  Christ.  We  shall  here  pre- 
sent the  home's  opportunity  and  privilege  in 
evangelization  and  the  ways  in  which  the  school 
may  be  related  helpfully  to  the  home  in  promot- 
ing vision  and  method  for  the  home's  spiritual 
service  to  the  children. 

The  home,  plus  the  church  school,  is  the 
normal  method  of  evangelization.  The  general 
failure  of  the  home  to  religiously  educate  the 
child  has  thrown  the  process  of  developing  the 
child's  spiritual  life  largely  upon  the  Sunday 
School. 

The  Sunday  School  is  really  the  best  method 
to  evangelize  the  home  through  its  contacts, 
messages,  lessons,  interests,  influence,  reaction. 
And  this  chapter  will  have  to  do  in  part  with  the 
multiplication  of  school  contacts  to  bring  about 
the  conversion  of  parents  as  well  as  children. 

Nearly  eighty  per  cent,  of  rescue  workers 
had   early   Christian   teaching  in   their  homes. 

91 


92      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

It  was  Sam  Hadley's  mother's  face  which  came 
before  him  with  preventing  power  when  he  was 
on  his  way  to  commit  suicide. 

In  "Religious  Education,"  Folsom  tells  us 
that  in  his  life's  crisis  it  was  the  memory  of  his 
mother's  voice  in  prayer  for  him  that  pulled 
him  through. 

In  a  Men  and  Religion  Movement  in  St. 
Louis  Mr.  W.  C.  Pearce  tells  that  of  1,362  pres- 
ent seventy-five  per  cent,  were  now  in  the  Sun- 
day School;  all  had  been  in  the  Sunday  School 
at  some  time,  and  all  had  been  taught  the  Word 
of  God  by  mother,  teacher  or  pastor. 

Frances  Willard  turned  aside  a  good  offer  in 
order  to  stick  to  her  temperance  work  at  a  time 
when  temperance  was  not  so  popular  as  now. 
She  started  her  active  Hfe  with  a  threadbare 
dress,  a  Christian  home,  the  Sunday  School  and 
an  iron  heart. 

In  the  San  Francisco  Sunday  School  Conven- 
tion I  was  on  the  platform  when  Dr.  J.  Wilbur 
Chapman  asked  those  of  the  4,000  Christian 
workers  present  who  had  had  Christian  parents 
to  rise.     Practically  the  entire  audience  arose. 

May  we  name  some  concrete  ways  for  the 
establishment  of  the  home  as  a  center  of  Chris- 
tian influence. 

I.    Home  Atmosphere 
Said  a  girl  to  her  mother,  when  the  years  of 


Home  Cooperation  in  Evangelism        93 

maturity  had  come,  "  Don't  you  remember, 
mother,  those  wonderful  Sunday  afternoons  we 
had  when  you  read  to  me  the  stories  of  the 
Bible  and  other  stories?  I  shall  never  forget 
those  days." 

In  my  own  home,  with  three  children,  we 
have  worn  out  three  of  Foster's  and  Hurlbut's 
"Stories  of  the  Bible."  These,  with  Bible 
games,  rotating  Bible  pictures,  helped  toward 
those  enjoyable  afternoons  which  Dr.  Paris  tells 
about  in  "  Pleasant  Sunday  Afternoons." 

Then  there  are  those  Sunday  evenings  of 
song  to  remember.  In  our  summer  home  in 
the  Catskills  our  eldest  boy,  since  gone  to  the 
long  home,  would  play  by  ear  scores  of  gospel 
songs  which  would  be  sung  by  a  roomful  of 
guests  gathered  in  from  surrounding  cottages. 
The  interspersing  of  the  singing  with  some  sug- 
gestive poem  and  a  word  of  prayer  at  the  close, 
gave  to  those  evenings  a  memory  which  abides 
in  their  influence  upon  us. 

When  a  boy  of  about  twelve  it  was  my 
weekly  duty  and  joy  to  select  some  Scripture 
verse,  which  I  wrote  in  chalk  on  the  face  of  the 
mantelpiece.  That  was  the  nearest  we  came 
to  obeying  the  injunction  to  the  Jews  in  Deu- 
teronomy 6:8,  "  And  thou  shalt  write  them 
upon  the  posts  of  thy  house,  and  on  thy  gates." 
Religion  was  naturalized  in  our  home.  And 
mother  never  failed  to  encourage  me  in  this 


94      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

home  service  and  to  commend  a  particularly 
good  selection  of  Scripture. 

And  that  row  of  family  shoes  which,  as  the 
youngest  in  the  family,  it  was  my  special  duty  to 
shine  up  on  Saturday  nights  in  preparation  for 
Sunday  morning  service !  Shall  I  ever  forget 
them !  And  I  never  forgot  that  there  were  five 
men  in  that  family.  The  "  fly  in  the  ointment  " 
was  that  I  had  no  successor  to  my  job. 

In  my  Sunday  School  we  distributed  at  one 
time  hundreds  of  the  wall  motto :  "  Christ  is  the 
head  of  this  house,  the  unseen  guest  at  every 
meal,  the  silent  listener  to  every  conversation." 
And  as  I  visited  these  homes  later  I  found  this 
motto  on  the  walls,  placed  there  possibly  by  the 
insistence  of  the  child  in  some  cases. 

We  also  distributed  several  hundred  fine 
copies  of  "  Washington  in  Prayer  at  Valley 
F'orge  "  to  all  who  would  promise  to  frame  and 
hang  these  in  their  homes. 

In  our  Beginners'  and  Primary  Departments 
we  furnished  to  hundreds  of  homes  a  card,  to  be 
hung  up  In  the  kitchen  or  dining  or  bedroom, 
containing  forms  of  grace  at  table,  morning  and 
evening  prayers,  the  latter  for  use  with  the  chil- 
dren. Many  parents  would  be  glad  to  use  such 
prayers  if  they  knew  of  them. 

2.    The  Famii^y  Altar 
There  were  ten  of  us  in  the  home — grand- 


Home  Cooperation  in  Evangelism        95 

mother,  father  and  mother,  four  boys  and  three 
girls.  We  were  a  lively  lot.  But  there  wa.s 
ten  minutes  of  the  day  when  we  came  together 
at  mother's  or  father's  call  at  morning  or  even- 
ing and  listened  to  father  as  he  read  the  Book 
with  a  sense  of  its  high  value  as  indicated  by 
the  tone  of  his  voice.  Especially  did  he  major 
in  the  prophecy  of  Isaiah.  And  then  he  talked 
with  God,  as  friend  with  friend,  becoming  the 
family  priest  as  our  needs  were  presented  by 
one  who  knew  the  King.  Little  wonder  that 
when  we  celebrated  the  golden  wedding  of  our 
parents  all  of  the  forty-five  children  and  grand- 
children present  were  members  of  the  church. 
And  yet  neither  father  nor  mother  ever  talked 
with  us,  as  I  recall,  about  our  joining  the 
church.  Father  and  mother  just  lived  out  their 
religion  in  a  happy,  joyous  fashion,  through 
cloud  and  sunshine,  hard  financial  years,  and 
bright  ones.  They  sold  us  the  goods  from  the 
daily  sample. 

It  is  a  good  thing  if  the  children  are  given 
some  part  in  the  observance  of  family  worship. 
I  had  the  duty  of  looking  up  some  of  the  refer- 
ences which  appeared  in  the  narrow  column 
alongside  of  the  daily  Scripture,  and  when  the 
older  brothers  or  sisters  sometimes  thought  this 
prolonged  the  worship  father  would  stand 
for  my  work. 

Mr.    Wm.    H.     Ridgeway,    of    Coatesville, 


96      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Penna.,  enlisted  the  cooperation  of  his  entire 
Sunday  School,  and  the  neighbourhood,  in  in- 
troducing the  daily  reading  of  the  Bible,  and  at 
least  the  Lord's  prayer,  in  every  home.  He 
offered  an  attractive  reward  to  a  representative 
in  every  home  where  for  a  year  the  Scripture 
portion  was  read  daily  in  the  family  hearing  and 
the  Lord's  prayer  repeated.  For  this  purpose 
he  furnished,  through  the  scholars,  a  weekly 
card,  indicating  the  readings  for  each  day. 
These  cards  were  to  be  marked  on  the  reverse 
side  with  the  record  of  the  week  and  were  re- 
turned to  the  school  and  used  in  computing  the 
yearly  result.  You  can  be  sure  that  those  boys 
and  girls  saw  that  the  family  paused  long 
enough  each  day  to  hear  the  selection  read. 
There  are  large  values  in  this  plan. 

The  Home  Department  has  a  special  recog- 
nition for  those  who  observe  family  prayer  in 
the  home  and  who  use  the  Home  Department 
daily  Scripture  portion  or  the  Daily  Home 
Readings  for  the  Scripture  for  the  day. 

The  Family  Altar  League  has  hundreds  of 
thousands  now  registered  as  observers  of  family 
prayer.  A  card  is  signed  pledging  the  signers 
to  daily  prayer  and  Bible  reading  in  the 
home. 

A  New  York  Presbytery  initiated  a  Family 
Altar  Campaign  in  its  churches.  The  session 
of  each  church  became  a  committee  with  the 


Home  Cooperation  in  Evangelism        97 

pastor   to  canvass  the  entire  congregation   to 
pledge  every  family  for  daily  family  worship. 

One  of  the  great  needs  of  to-day  is  a  country- 
wide effort  on  the  part  of  the  Sunday  Schools 
to  link  up  the  home  and  the  school  through 
the  daily  reading  in  the  home  of  God's  Word 
and  the  recognition,  through  daily  prayer, 
of  God's  right  to  the  love  and  service  of  each 

life. 

3.    Mother  and  Chii<d 

A  Christian  mother  said,  with  tears  in  her 
eyes,  "  Pastor,  I  want  you  to  talk  to  my  four- 
teen-year-old boy  about  becoming  a  Christian. 
I  think  you  could  lead  him  to  decision  now." 
"  Have  you  ever  talked  with  him  yourself?  "  in- 
quired the  pastor.  "  Oh,  no,"  said  the  mother. 
"  I  couldn't  do  it,  but  I  want  you  to."  "  That 
I  will  not  do,"  said  the  pastor,  "  until  you  have 
first  talked  with  him.  That  is  a  duty  God  has 
laid  upon  you  as  a  mother.  It  is  also  a  privi- 
lege, and  I  dare  not  take  it  from  you."  She 
hesitated  a  moment  and  said,  "  I  will  do  it  if 
you  will  pray  for  me."  That  mother  entered 
her  room,  lifted  her  heart  to  God  in  prayer,  ob- 
tained the  victory,  found  her  boy  and  said, 
"  John,  I  have  been  praying  for  you ;  don't  you 
want  to  become  a  Christian?  "  "  Yes,  mother, 
I  do."  Together  they  prayed  and  the  boy 
yielded  his  life  to  Christ.  With  great  joy  she 
found  her  pastor  and  said,  "  I  want  to  thank 


98      Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

you  for  the  privilege  I  have  had.  My  boy  has 
given  his  heart  to  Christ."  And  that  mother 
and  boy  entered  into  a  spiritual  comradeship 
from  that  time. 

4.  Mother  and  Teacher 
Strange  it  is  that  mothers  accept  the  service 
of  the  Sunday  School  as  the  expected  thing, 
v^ithout  thought  of  cooperation  or  appreciation. 
The  teacher's  work  would  be  greatly  lightened 
if  there  was  as  much  real  cooperation  between 
the  mothers  and  the  Sunday  School  teacher  as 
between  the  home  and  the  public  school 
teacher.  This  cooperation  would  be  more 
likely  if  the  mother  felt  that  soul  cultivation 
was  as  important  as  the  culture  of  the  mind, 
that  mind  training  would  be  worthless  without 
a  character  foundation. 

We  have  suggested  ways  in  which  the  teacher 
can  bring  about  a  closer  cooperation.  If  every 
mother  would  look  over  the  lesson  home  mate- 
rial for  the  child  each  week  and  assist  in  its 
preparation  a  vast  change  would  be  wrought  in 
the  character  of  Sunday  School  work. 

The  service  which  the  teacher  renders  the 
home  is  invaluable  and  yet  there  is  rarely  a 
mother  who  ever  says,  or  writes  to  the  teacher, 
a  word  of  appreciation  of  that  teacher's  self- 
sacrificing  work.  Why  not  begin  such  recog- 
nition and  cooperation? 


Home  Cooperation  in  Evangelism        99 

5.  Parent-Teacher  Training 
In  the  last  few  years  great  advances  have 
been  made  in  bringing  together  teachers  and 
parents  in  gatherings  and  classes.  These  have 
the  effect  of  helping  the  teacher  to  get  the  par- 
ents' view-point  and  to  assist  the  parents, 
through  definite  parent  courses,  to  function  in 
the  proper  home  training  of  their  children. 

For  this  training  process  special  courses  are 
prepared  with  the  purpose  of  securing  a  knowl- 
edge of  a  child's  psychology,  the  laws  of  phys- 
ical and  spiritual  growth  and  the  times  of  special 
sensitiveness  to  the  Divine  call. 

These  meetings  for  training  may  be  held  dur- 
ing the  week,  and  if  arranged  in  departmental 
parents'  groups  there  will  be  an  advantage  be- 
cause the  courses  for  the  special  ages  of  the 
children  can  then  be  separately  studied. 

6.  Parents'  Classes 
These  are  intended  for  Sunday  attendance. 
In  the  Sunday  School  of  which  I  am  superin- 
tendent I  noticed  that  a  number  of  mothers 
came  with  the  children  of  the  Beginners'  De- 
partment and  sat  about  the  Beginners'  room. 
I  suggested  their  organization  into  a  Beginners* 
mothers'  class.  This  class  soon  numbered 
sixty  mothers.  They  organized,  took  the  name 
of  Royal  Daughters,  adopted  a  class  pin,  initi- 
ated a  program  of  service  for  mothers'  work. 


lOO"  "'Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

and  met  once  a  month  in  a  social  way.  Occa- 
sionally there  would  be  a  mothers'  prayer  and 
testimony  service  to  quicken  their  Christian  life 
or  to  lead  some  to  Christ. 

When  the  children  of  these  mothers  were 
promoted  the  mothers  were  promoted  as  a  pri- 
mary mothers'  class.  Their  place  was  taken  by 
a  new  class  of  Beginners'  Department  mothers. 
So  the  process  has  gone  on.  A  Cradle  Roll 
mothers'  class  was  formed  from  the  mothers 
who  came,  with  their  one  to  three  year  old  chil- 
dren, to  visit  the  Cradle  Roll  class  of  thirty, 
which  occupied  a  corner  of  the  Beginners' 
room. 

Then  we  noticed  three  fathers  who  came 
regularly,  with  their  wives,  to  the  Beginners' 
Department.  We  challenged  them  to  organize 
a  fathers'  class  to  match  up  with  the  Beginners' 
mothers'  class.  The  men  accepted  the  chal- 
lenge and  soon  had  twenty-five  fathers  in  that 
class.  The  mothers  fitted  out  a  room  for  the 
men  in  the  tower  of  the  church.  These  fathers 
called  themselves  the  "  Tower  Class  "  and  took 
as  their  motto,  "The  men  higher  up."  Soon 
every  man  of  the  twenty-five  who  had  not  been 
a  Christian  came  into  the  church.  The  class 
grew  until  seventy-five  men  registered  as  mem- 
bers.    The  pastor  teaches  it. 

In  the  Moody  Sunday  School,  Chicago,  there 
is  a  mixed  class  of  seventy-five  fathers  and 


Home  Cooperation  in  Evangelism      loi 

mothers  of  the  smaller  children.  The  babies 
are  brought  in  go-carts  and  carriages  and  are 
taken  care  of  in  the  school  nursery  while  the 
parents  are  in  the  class  session. 

A  special  course  of  lessons  for  these  parents' 
classes  has  been  developed  and  is  published  by 
the  Methodist  Book  Concern  and  possibly  by 
other  denominational  agencies. 

These  classes  form  exceptional  opportunities 
for  contacts  and  talks  which  shall  align  the 
home  and  school  for  a  program  of  evangehsm. 
The  combined  meeting  of  these  parents'  classes 
gives  to  pastor  and  superintendent  a  great 
chance  in  building  the  interest  of  the  parents 
toward  Decision  Day,  to  answer  questions  and 
to  give  helpful  suggestions  as  to  just  how  the 
home  can  cooperate  in  the  school  plans. 

How  important  this  is  can  be  understood 
from  this  incident.  In  the  Adirondack  country 
a  pastor  had  a  class  of  twenty-one  boys  and 
girls,  every  one  of  whom,  except  one,  was  kept 
from  joining  the  church  by  the  indifference  of 
their  parents.  One  mother  who  objected  to 
her  child  joining  the  church  at  twelve,  when 
questioned,  admitted  she  had  herself  joined  at 
thirteen. 

7.    Parents'  Week-day  Organizations 
The  Sunday  School  has  learned  a  lesson  from 
the  public  school.     It  is  organizing  mothers'  or 


102    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

parents'  associations,  with  officers  and  commit- 
tees elected  from  these  parents,  with  weekly  or 
monthly  meetings,  afternoon  or  evening,  and 
with  a  worth-while  social  and  service  pro- 
gram. 

The  pamphlet  on  "  Mothers'  Associations," 
by  Mrs.  W.  F.  Heath  (Sunday  School  Times 
Company),  outlines  plans  for  a  year's  program 
for  such  an  association. 

In  my  school  we  have  had  such  an  association 
for  over  twenty  years.  From  seventy-five  to 
one  hundred  mothers  attend  a  monthly  meet- 
ing. Pastor,  superintendent  and  teachers  here 
come  in  contact  with  the  mothers,  give  occa- 
sional helpful  talks  and  cooperate  with  the 
mothers'  committee  in  shaping  the  program. 
We  found  that  these  mothers  needed  and  wel- 
comed help,  and  were  enthusiastic  workers  in 
the  organization.  The  mothers'  classes  were 
the  backbone  of  the  association. 

Here  the  mothers  can  receive  literature  and 
suggestions  as  to  children's  prayers,  grace  at 
table,  family  prayer.  A  mothers'  library  has 
been  purchased  by  the  gifts  of  these  mothers. 

Such  an  organization  can  be  utilized  in  ac- 
quainting the  members  with  the  school's  Deci- 
sion Day  plans,  and  as  an  opportunity  of  point- 
ing to  the  mothers*  privilege  of  saying,  "  come,'* 
rather  than  "  go  "  to  their  own  children  when 
the  child's  spiritual  life  needs  guidance. 


Home  Cooperation  in  EvangSlisBB      I03 

8.    Parents'  Socials 

These  may  be  held  in  connection  with  the 
monthly  meeting  of  the  Parents'  or  Mothers* 
Association,  or  as  class  parents'  socials  or  as 
departmental  parents'  socials. 

A  neat  card  of  invitation  should  be  sent.  An 
introduction  committee  should  meet  the 
mothers  and  acquaint  them  with  each  other. 
Teachers  of  classes  should  find  the  mothers  of 
their  scholars  and  bring  them  into  a  group  for 
a  get-acquainted  game.  School  or  outside  tal- 
ent, light  refreshments,  some  games,  a  good 
talk  by  pastor  or  superintendent,  an  exhibit  of 
scholars'  work,  will  be  the  natural  items  of  such 
a  meeting. 

The  pastor  has  here  an  opportunity  of  getting 
well  acquainted  with  more  mothers  than  in 
months  of  visitation.  One  pastor  used  such  an 
opportunity  of  making  a  talk  concerning  a  com- 
ing Decision  Day.     He  said: 

"  No  one  has  so  many  cords  drawing  them 
to  Christ  as  has  a  mother.  He  has  allowed  her 
to  kindle  a  spark  which  will  shine  on  when  the 
stars  have  burned  down  in  their  sockets  and 
gone  out.  Once  your  child  was  not;  he  will 
never  cease  to  be,  and  what  he  is  for  all  the 
eternities  depends  upon  you  more  than  upon 
any  agency  in  the  world.  God  gave  you  a  soul 
to  train,  not  for  yourself  but  for  Him,  not  for 
time  but  for  eternity.     You  are  concerned  to 


104    f*J^"S  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

know  what  he  will  do  but  God  and  the  angels 
are  interested  to  know  what  he  will  be.  Char- 
acter is  greater  than  place.  Your  child  is  here, 
not  to  make  a  living,  but  to  grow  a  soul.  What 
you  can  do  to  help  in  that  work  must  be  done 
now.  A  little  while  and  it  will  be  too  late. 
There  is  only  one  chance  out  of  four  that  your 
child  will  become  a  Christian  after  he  is  twenty 
years  old.  If  you  have  not  given  your  own 
heart  to  God,  how  can  you  train  another  life  for 
Him?" 

9.    Letters  to  Parents 

Few  parents  will  fail  to  heed  the  courteous 
and  earnest  request  for  cooperation  on  the  lines 
suggested  in  the  following  letter  from  the  Grace 
Presbyterian  Sunday  School,  Brooklyn,  signed 
by  pastor  and  superintendent: 

"To  THE  Parents  of  Members  of  Grace  Presby- 
terian Sunday  SchooIv: 

"Dear  Friend: — The  pastor,  officers  and  teachers 
of  Grace  Presbyterian  Sunday  School  desire  your 
cooperation  in  making  Palm  Sunday  next,  March 
20th,  an  acknowledgment  day  for  those  who  desire 
to  follow  Jesus  Christ,  their  Saviour,  and  make 
Him  the  King  of  their  lives.  We  have  given  each 
member  of  our  School  a  card  for  signature  like  one 
of  the  enclosed  to  be  used,  If  a  church  member,  as  a 
fuller  consecration  than  ever  before  to  His  service; 
or  as  a  first  acknowledgment  of  His  Kingship  over 
their  lives  to  those  that  have  not  before  confessed 
Him. 

"  Will  you  not  advise  with  your  child  or  children 


Home  Cooperation  in  Evangelism       105 

about  this  important  step?  If  you  wish  cards  for 
your  own  signature,  as  an  example  and  help  to  them 
in  the  most  important  decision  of  their  lives  for  their 
spiritual  development  and  their  eternal  welfare,  we 
shall  be  glad  to  furnish  them.  We  are  earnestly 
praying  for  our  scholars  and  their  homes  that  this 
may  be  indeed  a  day  of  great  blessing  to  them  all. " 

10.    Home  Visitor 

The  pastor,  superintendent  and  teacher  reach 
the  home  occasionally.  It  will  be  found  of  value 
if  a  wise  district  visitor  can  be  found  to  whom 
shall  be  assigned  a  certain  number  of  the  school 
families  for  general  and  regular  contact,  help 
and  report  to  pastor  or  superintendent.  This 
visitor  may  be  a  visitor  of  the  Home  Depart- 
ment. It  may  be  some  one  who  can  be  trusted 
to  keep  helpfully  in  touch  with  the  homes  with 
the  purpose  of  lining  up  every  member  of  the 
home  circle  for  membership  in  the  school  or 
church. 

That  visitor  should  be  armed  with  some  good 
literature  for  the  home,  and  if  possible  be  able 
to  pray  with  the  mother  and  to  confer  about  the 
spiritual  interests  of  the  home  circle.  Such  a 
plan  I  carried  through  for  some  time  at  our 
school. 


IX 

COMMUNITY  COOPERATIVE  SUNDAY 
SCHOOL  EVANGELISM 

DR.  WATKINSON  of  England  says  that 
gravitation  gave  the  daisy  its  shape, 
the  ocean  gave  it  moisture,  the  ether 
gave  it  life,  the  sun,  ninety  millions  of  miles 
away,  painted  it,  electricity  gave  it  vitality. 

All  forces  must  combine  in  the  interest  of  the 
soul  of  a  child.  Through  associated  community 
Sunday  School  effort  we  must  help  pastor,  su- 
perintendent, teacher  and  parent  to  become 
master  workmen  in  developing  the  tremendous 
values  wrapped  up  in  the  spiritual  life  of  a  child. 
We  shall  suggest  some  of  the  federated 
forces  and  plans  in  the  field  of  Sunday  School 
evangelism. 

I.  The  Sunday  SchooIv  Association 
(a)  The  International  Sunday  School  Asso- 
ciation has  a  department  or  committee  on  Sun- 
day School  evangelism  which  develops  similar 
departments  in  State  and  Provincial  Sunday 
School  Associations.  These  departments  intro- 
duce programs  on  Sunday  School  evangelism  at 
state  conventions,  promote  institutes  for  dis- 

io6 


Community  Cooperative  107 

cusslon  of  plans  of  evangelism,  develop  litera- 
ture for  distribution,  organize  counties  and 
cities  for  similar  work. 

Some  of  the  leaflets  produced  by  this  depart- 
ment of  the  International  Association,  which  in 
some  instances  are  reprinted  by  the  States,  are 
"  Decision  Day,"  "  Best  Paying  Business  on 
Earth,"  and  Round  Table  Leaflet  on  "  Personal 
Work— Soul  Winning." 

(b)  The  World's  Sunday  School  Association 
has  published  "  Suggestions  for  Soul  Winners 
in  the  Sunday  School  "  and  "  Two  Illustrated 
Sermons,"  these  sermons  being  charts  showing 
that  childhood  should  be  won  to  Christ  because 
it  is  the  most  propitious  time  .for  soul  winning, 
and  because  of  the  greater  and  longer  service  it 
can  render.  It  quotes  from  Dr.  Meyer:  "  If  the 
world  is  ever  to  be  saved,  the  children  must  be 
saved " ;  and  from  Hon.  John  Wanamaker : 
"  Save  an  adult  and  you  save  a  unit ;  save  a  child 
and  you  save  a  whole  multiplication  table." 

(c)  The  International  Association,  in  co- 
operation with  the  denominational  Sunday 
School  leaders,  has  established  a  standard  for 
the  individual  school,  one  of  the  points  of  which 
is  the  observance  of  a  day  once  a  year  when  def- 
inite decisions  for  Christ  shall  be  had. 

(d)  The  State  and  Provincial  Sunday  School 
Associations  have  organized  evangelistic  de- 
partments. 


lo8    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Alabama  has  a  department  of  evangelism 
which  plans  a  State-wide  Decision  Day  and 
which  has  as  its  motto  the  following  from  Dr. 
H.  M.  Hamill :  "  The  greatest  thing  in  the  world 
is  the  conversion  of  a  human  soul;  and  the 
greatest  conversion  in  the  world  is  the  conver- 
sion of  a  little  child." 

The  aim  of  the  department  is 

(1)  To  enlist  the  whole  community  in  the 
study  of  the  Word  of  God  through  the  Sunday 
School. 

(2)  To  lead  every  pupil  in  the  Sunday 
School,  of  proper  age,  to  accept  Jesus  Christ  as 
his  personal  Saviour  and  Lord,  publicly  confess 
Him  by  joining  the  church,  and  engage  in  def- 
inite Christian  service. 

It  quotes :  "  We  cannot  save  the  people  unless 
we  teach  them ;  and  we  cannot  teach  them 
unless  we  reach  them." 

There  are  3,000  Sunday  Schools  in  Alabama. 
In  one  city  of  that  State,  Birmingham,  1,072 
united  with  the  church  from  the  Sunday  Schools 
as  the  result  of  observance  of  three  city-wide 
Decision  Days. 

2.    Community  Meetings 
(a)     The  New  York   State   Sunday   School 
Association  employed  for  some  years  a  Superin- 
tendent   of    Evangelism,    Miss  Alice    Miriam 
Gamlin,  who  worked  in  communities  in  coopera- 


Community  Cooperative  109 

tion  with  pastors  and  Sunday  School  superin- 
tendents. Her  work  was  wise,  free  from  ab- 
normal, reactive  features  and  was  widely  com- 
mended by  pastors  and  laymen.  Her  principal 
work  was  with  the  teachers  and  through  the 
teachers'  cooperation  with  groups  of  younger 
and  older  scholars.  The  plan  was  to  hold  a 
forty-five  minute  service  for  boys  and  girls  each 
afternoon,  except  Saturday,  immediately  after 
the  closing  of  the  public  school;  also  a  service 
each  evening  except  Monday  and  Saturday,  for 
young  people.  These  meetings  extended  over 
a  period  of  ten  to  fourteen  days.  Miss  Gamlin 
conducted  these  meetings  in  thirty-seven  of  the 
cities  of  the  State. 

(b)  The  Brooklyn  Sunday  School  Union,  as 
the  result  of  a  city-wide  observance  of  Palm 
Sunday  as  a  Lenten  Mission  Acknowledgment 
Day,  secured  over  five  thousand  decisions  and 
additions  to  the  churches  of  the  city  from  the 
Sunday  Schools.  This  result  was  obtained 
through  the  cooperation  of  the  Union  with  the 
Ministers'  Committee  and  the  Laymen's  Coun- 
cil. The  city  was  organized  by  districts.  Meet- 
ings of  pastors,  superintendents  and  workers 
were  held  before  Acknowledgment  Day  and 
were  addressed  by  prepared  speakers.  Dis- 
cussions were  held  as  to  plans  to  be  followed. 

The  letter  sent  by  the  Brooklyn  committee 
read  as  follows: 


1 10    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

LENTEN  MISSION 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT  DAY 

To  Pastors  and  Superintendents  of  Brooklyn: 

Dear  Friend  : 

Palm  Sunday,  March  20,  19 10,  is  to  be  ob- 
served throughout  the  Sunday  Schools  of  Brooklyn  as 
Acknowledgment  Day.  The  Brooklyn  Sunday  School 
Union  has  given  the  plan  their  endorsement  and  are 
cooperating  with  the  committee  of  laymen  and  min- 
isters throughout  the  Borough  in  making  it  the  most 
notable  day  ever  held  in  the  Sunday  Schools  of 
Brooklyn  to  secure  open  acknowledgment  for  Christ 
on  the  part  of  those  scholars  in  our  Sunday  Schools 
who  are  of  responsible  age  and  who  are  determined 
to  follow  Christ.  Every  pastor  and  superintendent 
is  free  to  conduct  an  Acknowledgment  Service  ac- 
cording to  their  judgment  in  view  of  the  local  con- 
ditions in  their  Sunday  School;  we  have  no  desire 
to  impose  any  mechanical  program  upon  either  the 
pastors  or  the  officers  of  the  Sunday  Schools,  but 
simply  to  suggest  ways  and  means  which  have  been 
efficient  elsewhere.  A  series  of  district  conferences, 
including  all  the  Sunday  Schools  of  Brooklyn,  will 
be  held  at  which  will  be  presented  the  following 
themes  by  leading  Christian  workers  of  the  Borough: 

I.       WHY  OBSERVE  PALM  SUNDAY  AS  ACKNOWLEDG- 
MENT DAY? 

II.      THE  teachers'  PART  IN  IT. 
III.      THE  pastor's  and  OFFICERS'  PART  IN  IT. 
IV.      HOW  IT  WORKS. 

The  conference  will  equip  your  teachers  to  lead 
their  scholars  to  Christ  and  to  open  acknowledgment 
of  Him  as  Saviour  and  Lord.  We  ask  your  coopera- 
tion in  the  observance  of  March  20  as  Acknowledg- 
ment Day  in  your  Sunday  School  and  also  in  secur- 
ing the  presence  of  your  entire  staff  of  Sunday  School 
officers  and  teachers  at  your  district  meeting.    Ttie 


Community  Cooperative  111 

entire  Borough  is  districted,  and  the  plan  includes 
every  Sunday  School  in  Brooklyn.  The  place  and 
speakers  for  your  district  are  given  below.  Will  you 
give  repeated  notice  of  your  district  meeting  from 
your  pulpit,  or  in  your  church  calendar,  as  we  are 
depending  solely  upon  you  for  the  presence  of  your 
workers?  May  we  ask  for  an  immediate  return  of 
the  enclosed  postal  card  so  as  to  assist  us  in  securing 
data  for  an  intelligent  work  throughout  the  Borough. 
We  request  you  to  unite  in  special  prayer  for  the 
young  people  of  the  entire  Borough,  and  that  Ac- 
knowledgment Day  shall  result  in  multitudes  of  them 
crowning  Christ  the  King  of  their  Lives  on  this 
Palm  Sunday. 

E.  R.  Carhart, 
President  Brooklyn  Sunday  School  Union. 

J.    W.    CUMMINGS, 

Chairman  Acknowledgment  Day  Committee. 
D.  W.  Mc Williams, 

President  Laymen's  Council. 
Theodore    S.   Henderson, 
Chairman  Ministers^  Committee. 

Your  district  meeting  wilt  be  held  on  Thursday  evening, 
March  3,  at  8  o'clock,  in  the  Bushwick  Avenue  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  corner  Bushzvick  Avenue  and  Madison 
Street.  The  speakers  are  Dr.  F.  W.  Hannan,  Dr.  M.  S. 
Littlefield,  Dr.  W.  I.  Southerton  and  Mr.  Frank  L.  Brown. 

At  another  time  the  Union  sent  a  letter  to 
the  superintendents  regarding  Decision  Day 
and  enclosing  three  leaflets  as  suggestive  of  the 
material  available  for  distribution  by  the  schools 
to  their  teachers,  namely,  "  Spiritual  Life  in  the 
Sunday  School,"  "A  Soul  Saving  Sunday 
School,"  "  Early  Conversion  of  Sunday  School 
Scholars." 

(c)     Philadelphia   observed    Sunday   School 


112     Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Week  from  January  25th  to  February  1st.  The 
Decision  Day  was  observed  on  February  1st. 
This  plan  has  been  followed  for  several  years  in 
Philadelphia  with  increasing  favour. 

The  Bergen  County,  N.  J.,  Sunday  School 
Association  has  an  evangelistic  department 
which  distributes  tracts,  organizes  institutes 
and  visits  Sunday  Schools  to  promote  Sunday 
School  evangelism.  "  Forward  Step  Day  "  was 
introduced  in  these  schools  with  good  results. 
This  plan  is  outlined  below. 

In  one  school  the  county  ofiftcers  promoted  a 
Teachers'  Consecration  Service  and  at  the  Sun- 
day morning  services  during  March,  when  the 
pastor  and  superintendent  made  addresses  on 
such  subjects  as  "  The  need  and  importance  of 
decision  for  Christ." 

Mr.  Percy  M.  Christie,  county  superintend- 
ent of  that  evangelistic  department,  promoted 
an  Evangelistic  Missionary  Institute,  empha- 
sizing both  evangelism  and  missions.  There 
was  an  exhibit  of  international  and  other  evan- 
gelism leaflets  and  books.  An  address  on 
"  Every  Sunday  School  Teacher  an  Evangelist  " 
was  made,  with  the  points  driven  home  that 
the  Sunday  School  teacher  as  a  soul  seeker 
must  sow,  grow,  pray,  plant,  fish,  fight,  fear  not, 
remember  the  reward. 

The  following  outline  was  presented  and  dis- 
cussed : 


Community  Cooperative  113 

1.  The  evangelization  of  the  Sunday  School. 

(a)  A  consecrated  superintendent. 

(b)  A  consecrated  teacher  for  each  class, 

2.  Purpose  of  each  teacher : 

(a)  The  conversion  of  the  pupil. 

(b)  The  development  of  the  pupil. 

3.  Unity  of  purpose  by : 

(a)  United  prayer,  privately  and  in  groups. 

(b)  Teaching  to  the  point. 

4.  A  definite  program,  with  fixed  dates  for  effort 

by  the  school. 

5.  Effective  Christian  service  of  the  pupil. 

The  card  inviting  workers  to  the  institute 
included  as  questions: 

What  can  be  done  to  cut  down  the  number 
of  Sunday  Schools  reporting  no  accessions  to 
the  church? 

What  can  be  done  to  increase  the  number  of 
church  accessions  in  all  our  schools? 

3.  Sunday  SchooIv  Week 
The  plans  for  the  observance  in  America  of 
Sunday  School  Week  were  initiated  by  the  In- 
ternational Sunday  School  Association  and  are 
embraced  in  their  Decision  Day  Leaflet  No,  1, 
and  Round  Table  Leaflet  No.  9  on  Sunday 
School  Week  and  Decision  Day.  They  include 
the  following  suggestions : 

(1)  In  every  State,  Province  or  Territory, 
or  at  least  in  every  county,  there  should  be  set 
apart  a  week  known  as  Sunday  School  Week. 
During  this   week   mass   meetings   should   be 


1 14    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

arranged  for  each  city,  district,  township  or 
church  community.  The  burden  of  all  these 
meetings  should  be  to  awaken  an  interest  in  the 
conversion  of  our  young  people. 

(2)  Request  all  pastors  to  preach  on  the 
importance  of  early  conversion  on  the  opening 
Sunday  of  Sunday  School  Week. 

(3)  Ask  the  Young  People's  Societies  to 
devote  the  evening  service  to  Sunday  School 
work  on  this  opening  Sunday.  If  this  service 
could  be  put  in  charge  of  the  Sunday  School 
Committee  it  would  be  mutually  helpful. 

(4)  Superintendents  should  call  their  teach- 
ers and  officers  together,  secure  their  counsel 
and  cooperation,  and  begin  to  plan  for  Decision 
Day  at  least  one  month  in  advance. 

(5)  If  Sunday  School  Week  is  observed,  a 
copy  of  the  week's  program  should  be  put  in 
the  hands  of  each  officer  and  teacher. 

(6)  Any  helpful  literature,  such  as  Dr.  J. 
Wilbur  Chapman's  booklet  on  "  Decision  Day," 
should  be  furnished  to  all  Sunday  School  teach- 
ers. 

(Y)  One  or  more  special  prayer-meetings 
should  be  held  in  connection  with  each  Sunday 
School. 

(8)  The  mid-week  church  prayer-meeting 
preceding  Decision  Day  should  be  devoted  to 
the  Sunday  School.  Let  the  teachers  make  a 
special  effort  to  secure  the  presence  of  their 


Community  Cooperative  115 

scholars  at  this  meeting,  and  make  it  a  season 
of  earnest  prayer  on  the  part  of  parents  and 
workers  for  the  salvation  of  the  young. 

(9)  Teachers  should  be  encouraged  to  visit 
the  scholars  in  their  homes,  and  by  personal 
interviews  seek  to  lead  them  to  a  decision  for 
Christ.  If  a  visit  is  impossible  an  earnest  letter 
making  a  personal  appeal  may  reach  their 
hearts  and  win  them  for  Christ. 

(10)  If  confession  or  decision  cards  are  used 
care  should  be  taken  that  each  teacher 
thoroughly  understands  their  meaning. 

Mr.  W.  B.  Jacobs,  then  secretary  of  the  Illi- 
nois Sunday  School  Association,  issued  a  call  to 
all  Sunday  School  workers  of  the  State  for  the 
annual  observance  of  *'  Sunday  School  Week." 
The  second  Sunday  of  February  was  set  for 
Decision  Day.  Mr.  Jacobs  made  the  following 
practical  suggestions  in  his  circular  to  the  su- 
perintendents: 

"  Whatever  else  is  done,  or  not  done,  the 
following  suggestions  can  be  carried  out  in  your 
school : 

"  (1)  Let  the  superintendent  call  a  meeting 
of  all  ofificers  and  teachers  for  the  first  Sunday 
in  February,  unfold  to  them  his  plans,  secure 
their  cooperation,  and  give  each  one  a  copy  of 
Dr.  Chapman's  booklet,  '  Decision  Day  in  the 
Sunday  School.' 

"  (2)     Agree  upon  a  definite  hour  of  each 


Il6    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

day,  during  which  hour  every  officer  and 
teacher  shall  devote  ten  minutes  to  specific 
prayer  for  God's  blessing  upon  the  entire  school, 
officers,  teachers  and  scholars. 

"  (3)  Urge  your  teachers  also  to  pray  each 
day  for  their  scholars  by  name,  and  the  officers 
to  pray  daily  for  each  teacher  by  name. 

"  (4)  Appoint  a  twenty  minute  prayer- 
meeting  for  Decision  Day  Sunday,  to  immedi- 
ately precede  the  school  hour  (or,  if  school  be 
held  at  noon,  immediately  preceding  the  morn- 
ing service)  and  request  all  officers  and  teach- 
ers to  be  present  on  time  so  as  not  to  lose  one 
moment. 

"  (5)  Ask  each  teacher  during  this  week  to 
visit,  if  possible,  or  write  a  personal  note  to, 
absent  scholars,  requesting  their  attendance  at 
Sunday  School  the  following  Sunday." 

In  China  and  India  the  plan  of  a  week  of 
evangelism  has  been  carried  out  for  several 
years.  In  this  church  and  Sunday  School  mem- 
bers cooperate.  The  workers  are  trained  to  a 
message  and  then  go  out  to  various  districts  of 
the  city  and  to  the  near-by  villages  visiting 
homes  and  holding  meetings.  It  is  a  personal 
workers*  campaign,  which  greatly  strengthens 
the  native  Christian  and  has  been  exceedingly 
fruitful. 

In  Japan  a  three  years'  evangelistic  campaign 
has  been  carried  out  through  the  cooperation  of 


Community  Cooperative  117 

the  National  Sunday  School  Association  of 
Japan.  It  was  discovered  that  most  of  those 
who,  in  this  campaign,  made  a  confession  of 
Christ,  had  been  at  some  time  attendants  upon 
a  Sunday  School. 

In  Korea  and  in  the  Philippines  similar  evan- 
gelistic campaigns  have  been  carried  forward. 
The  adult  classes  in  the  Sunday  Schools  of  these 
countries  have  been  active  workers  in  these 
campaigns. 

It  is  planned  to  extend  the  movement  for  a 
week  of  Sunday  School  and  church  evangelism 
around  the  world. 

4.  Sunday  School  Workers'  Retreats 
This  plan  too  has  been  promoted  by  the 
International  Sunday  School  Association  in 
America,  and  by  the  World's  Sunday  School 
Association  upon  its  fields,  particularly  in  China, 
Korea  and  Japan.  These  retreats  consist  largely 
of  conferences  and  were  led  in  part  by  Mr.  Buch- 
man  in  China  and  Japan.  They  have  for  their 
purpose  deepening  of  the  spiritual  life,  person- 
alizing the  work  of  soul  winning,  and  seek 
through  confession  of  sin,  and  individual  work 
for  individuals,  to  extend  the  Kingdom. 

As  promoted  by  the  International  Associa- 
tion the  "  Sunday  School  Workers'  Retreats  " 
assume  the  form  of  a  day,  or  an  afternoon  and 
evening  session  by  pastors,  superintendents  and 


1 1 8    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

teachers  in  a  given  church  or  community,  for 
prayer  and  conference  upon  the  spiritual  life 
and  work  of  the  workers  and  the  school. 

Such  a  "  Retreat "  was  held  in  Chicago  with 
representatives  of  fifty  Sunday  Schools  present. 
The  meeting  lasted  for  an  afternoon  and  even- 
ing. It  was  tender  and  impressive,  with  many 
manifestations  of  the  presence  and  power  of 
God.  Those  present  felt  more  keenly  than 
ever  their  personal  responsibility  for  soul  win- 
ning, and  there  was  many  a  consecration  of  life 
for  more  intense  service. 

The  themes  suggested  are  "  Deepening  the 
Spiritual  Life,"  "  What  it  Means  to  Be  a  Soul- 
Winner."  The  suggestion  is  made  that  at  least 
two  such  meetings  be  held  in  every  Sunday 
School  or  community,  one  to  be  held  in  the 
early  fall  and  the  other  in  midwinter. 

The  following  specific  suggestions  are  made 
concerning  these  "  Retreats  " : 

(1)  Do  not  advertise  the  "Retreat"  pub- 
licly in  the  school. 

(2)  Do  not  seek  for  a  large  meeting  but  use 
every  endeavour  to  secure  the  presence  of  all 
your  officers  and  teachers. 

(3)  Do  not  put  anything  on  the  program 
that  would  detract  from  the  main  purpose. 

(4)  Secure  some  leaflets  on  evangelism  and 
soul  winning  and  place  them  in  the  hands  of 
your  workers  before  or  at  the  meeting. 


Community  Cooperative  119 

(5)  Impress  the  importance  of  conducting 
every  session  of  your  Sunday  Scliool  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  make  it  as  easy  as  possible  for  the 
teachers  to  tell  "  the  old,  old  story  "  and  to 
awaken  interest  in  Jesus  Christ  as  a  Saviour. 

{Note. — In  a  graded  Sunday  School  the  de- 
partments will  meet  in  separate  rooms,  which 
gives  a  much  better  opportunity  for  an  appeal 
suited  to  the  understanding  and  needs  of  the 
different  groups.) 

(6)  Urge  your  teachers  to  meet  their  pupils 
one  by  one  and  endeavour  to  lead  them  to 
Christ. 

(7)  Encourage  the  practice  of  using  a 
prayer  list  of  the  members  of  the  class,  and 
urge  all  Christians  in  the  class  to  join  in  prayer 
for  the  conversion  of  their  classmates. 

(8)  Recommend  the  observance  of  at  least 
one  Decision  Day  and  one  or  two  Forward 
Step  Days  each  year. 

(9)  Urge  all  of  the  workers  to  read  at  least 
one  or  more  good  books  or  pamphlets  on  Sun- 
day School  evangelism. 

(10)  Secure  workers'  leaflets  or  booklets, 
of  which  there  are  many,  prepared  especially 
for  the  purpose  of  teaching  how  to  win  souls 
to  Christ. 

Five  essentials  in  becoming  a  winner  of  souls 
are  suggested  for  consideration  by  workers  in 
connection  with  these  "  Retreats  " : 


120    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

(1)  Your  own  life  should  be  radiant  with 
the  victory  that  comes  through  faith  and  trust 
in  Jesus  Christ. 

(2)  You  should  endeavour  to  appreciate  the 
value  of  a  soul. 

(3)  You  should  believe  that  one  who  rejects 
Jesus  Christ  as  a  personal  Saviour  is  lost. 

(4)  You  should  have  a  passion  for  winning 
the  unsaved. 

(5)  You  should  realize  your  own  personal 
responsibility  to  God  for  bringing  this  lost 
world  to  Him. 

5.  Forward  Step  Meetings  ■ 
These  meetings  are  promoted  for  dififerent 
purposes:  sometimes  for  workers  as  dedica- 
tion or  consecration  meetings;  sometimes  for 
Christian  young  people  to  dedicate  themselves 
for  partial  or  entire  life  service;  sometimes  as 
decision  days  for  young  people. 

Mr.  John  L.  Alexander  and  Mr.  R.  A.  Waite 
of  the  Young  People's  Department  of  the  Inter- 
national Association  have  carried  forward  in 
the  quadrennium  ending  with  1918  over  1,000 
teen  age  conferences  in  the  United  States  and 
Canada,  at  practically  all  of  which  Forward 
Step  plans  were  presented.  Over  150,000  young 
people  attended  these  meetings  and  50,000  de- 
cisions were  made.  Forward  Step  cards  are 
signed  at  these  gatherings. 
.The  Bergen  County  Sunday  School  Associa- 


Community  Cooperative  121 

tion  issued  the  following-  card  for  its  "  Forward 
Step  "  work  : 


THE  FORWARD  STEP 


Are  YOU  willing  to  take  a  Forward  Step 
in  the  Christian  life,  or  toward  the  life  that 
is  Christ  controlled?     If  so,  please  indicate 
by  an  (X)  mark  opposite  the  following  sug- 
gestions or  add  on  the  bottom  of  the  card 
your  own  statement: 
[  ]     1.    I  will  read  my  Bible  every  day. 
[  ]     2.    I  will  pray  every  day   for   the  sal- 
vation or  safe-keeping  of  some  friend. 
[  ]     3.     I  will  pray  every  day  for  myself. 
[  ]     4.     I  will  try  to  speak  a  kind  word  to 

some  one  every  day. 
[  ]     5.     I    will    make    companions    only    of 
those  who  are  pure  and  true  in  speech 
and  acts. 
[  ]     6.     I    will    show    the    kind,    forgiving 
spirit  as   Christ  would  have   me   do   to 
all. 
[  ]     7.     I  will  attend  Church  services  reg- 
ularly at  least  once  each  Lord's  day. 
[  ]     8.     I   will   watch,   pray  and   work   for 

the  salvation  and  help  of  OTHERS. 
[  ]     9.     I    want    to    be    and    do    what    Jestis 

would  have  me  be  and  do. 
10. 


Name  . 
Address 
Date  . . . 


These  meetings  can  be  held  in  an  individual 
school  and  have  been  so  held  for  groups  of  older 
boys  or  older  girls. 


122    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

6.    Church  Commissions  for  Evangeustic  Work 

These  commissions  of  the  various  denomina- 
tional bodies  have  all  stressed  the  Sunday- 
School  and  the  young  people's  organizations  as 
their  finest  and  most  fruitful  field  of  operation. 
They  have  produced  an  excellent  literature  for 
use  in  the  Sunday  School,  and  have  cordially 
supported  all  plans  that  would  magnify  the 
Sunday  School  as  the  whitest  portion  of  the 
church's  harvest  field. 

The  New  York  East  Conference  Commission 
on  Evangelistic  Work  issued  the  following  cir- 
cular to  the  ministers  of  the  conference  bearing 
upon  the  evangelistic  work  in  the  Sunday 
School. 

Dear  Brother: 

Last  June  our  Commission  sent  out  a  circular 
letter  with  reference  to  evangelistic  work  in  the  Sun- 
day School  and  among  the  children.  That  circular 
contained  these  two  questions:  (i)  What  have  you 
found  to  be  the  special  difficulties  in  the  way  of 
evangelizing  children?  (2)  What  methods  have  you 
found  most  successful  in  overcoming  those  difficul- 
ties? 

A  large  and  interesting  correspondence  has  resulted 
from  these  questions.  In  stating  the  difficulties  there 
is  general  agreement  that  the  greatest  obstacles  are 
not  with  the  children  themselves,  but  with  those  who 
deal  with  them.  Many  children  come  from  homes 
that  are  irreligious.  Some  come  from  homes  that  are 
nominally  Christian,  but  worldly  in  spirit.  Some 
come  from  homes  where  the  parents  are  earnest  and 
devout,  but  wholly  lacking  in  sympathy  with  child- 


Community  Cooperative  123 

hood  religion.  The  unfavourable  environment  is 
often  created  by  the  Sunday  School,  when  its  officers 
and  teachers  oppose  any  genuine  effort  to  evangelize 
the  young.  Sometimes  the  church  sets  up  standards 
of  piety  for  the  children  which  are  wholly  inappli- 
cable, and  refuses  to  recognize  the  saved  condition  of 
any  who  will  not  measure  up  to  those  standards. 

All  this  makes  plain  that  it  is  our  first  duty  to  pro- 
claim the  attitude  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
with  regard  to  children,  as  set  forth  in  Paragraphs 
49  and  50  of  the  Discipline.  Sermons  should  be 
preached  upon  it.  Mothers'  meetings  should  be  held 
with  this  object  in  view,  and  in  private  conversation 
those  having  to  do  with  children,  parents  and  Sunday 
School  teachers  especially,  should  be  made  to  see  the 
tremendous  importance  of  this  whole  matter. 

The  use  of  Decision  Day  has  approved  itself  as  a 
wise  method  to  most  pastors  who  are  sincerely  seek- 
ing to  reach  the  young.  In  the  larger  churches  it 
can  only  be  made  effective  by  careful  and  systematic 
preparation.  In  the  smaller  churches  the  success  is 
likely  to  be  equally  proportionate  to  the  care  given 
to  this  matter  of  preparation.  We  earnestly  exhort 
all  our  pastors  to  give  much  attention  to  this  whole 
matter,  and  to  be  definite  and  vigorous  in  their  plans. 
We  are  sure  that  the  Holy  Spirit  will  cooperate  in 
the  work. 

Enclosed  are  samples  of  literature  which  your 
Commission  takes  pleasure  in  sending  to  you.  If  you 
will  read  these  leaflets  through  it  will  be  time  wisely 
spent.  Circulate  them  through  your  church  and 
Sunday  School. 

Our  earnest  desire  and  prayer  is  that  you  may  be 
greatly  blessed  in  all  your  work  for  the  salvation  of 
young  and  old. 

Yours  in  the  name  of  the  Commission,  and  in  the 
fellowship  of  Christian  service, 


X 

USE  OF  LETTERS  AND  CARDS  IN 
EVANGELISM 

THE  letter  and  card  forms  reproduced 
here  are  related  in  most  part  to  Chap- 
ters XI  and  XII.    They  are  assembled 
here  for  convenience  of  reference. 

It  is  not  expected  that  these  forms,  unless  it 
be  some  of  the  card  forms,  shall  be  used  exactly 
as  given.  They  may  be  suggestive  of  what  can 
be  done  in  any  school,  for  they  have  all  been  in 
actual  use.  They  are  adaptable,  in  part  at  least, 
in  many  situations.  Their  spirit  and  purpose 
can  be  caught  and  applied.  They  are  intended 
to  help  many  a  pastor,  superintendent  and 
teacher  in  the  work  of  Sunday  School  and  home 
evangelism. 

I.    Forms  of  Letters  to  Teachers 

(a)     Before  Decision  Day. 

(From  superintendent  or  pastor.) 

BusHwiCK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Sunday  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Friend  : 

The  first  two  weeks  of  February  have  been  set 
apart  by  our  Church  for  special  Evangelistic  meet- 

124 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  125 

ings.  Mr.  Meredith  is  to  lead  the  Chorus.  On  Feb- 
ruary 7th  and  14th  special  meetings  are  to  be  held  in 
the  Sunday  School,  Mr.  Meredith  assisting. 

It  is  suggested  and  planned  that  Sunday  February 
14th  be  observed  as  Decision  Day  in  the  Junior  and 
Senior  Departments,  although  we  pray  that  many 
of  our  scholars  shall  come  to  this  life  step  before 
then.  The  Decision  Day  Committee  suggest  that  it 
may  not  be  wise  to  publish  the  selection  of  Decision 
Day  to  our  scholars  but  request  every  teacher  to  pray 
earnestly  and  constantly  that  this  Day  and  these 
meetings  shall  be  the  time  when  hundreds  of  our 
scholars  shall  find  Christ  as  their  personal  Saviour 
and  Lord. 

It  is  affectionately  urged  upon  the  teachers  of  these 
departments  that  they  shall  use  these  wonderful  les- 
sons in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  during  the  coming 
Sundays,  as  the  foundation  of  individual  or  class 
appeal,  and  that  we  seek  for  our  own  lives  as  officers 
and  teachers  the  incoming  and  indwelling  of  that 
Mighty  Spirit,  who  is  given  to  lead  us  into  all  Truth, 
to  a  better  soul  satisfying  vision  of  Christ,  to  com- 
panionship with  God,  and  to  a  self-forgetful  and  joy- 
ful service  for  our  King.  We  cannot  lead  our 
scholars,  further  or  higher,  than  our  own  personal 
knowledge  of  the  Christ. 

I  pray  that  the  coming  weeks  shall  be  times  of 
empowerment  and  refreshing  and  salvation.  In 
some  ways,  by  letter,  visit,  or  personal  word,  bring 
the  opportunity  of  decision  to  every  unsaved  scholar 
in  your  class.  And  to  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  shall 
the  glory  be  given. 

Yours  in  the  bond  of  Daily  Prayer, 

Frank  L.  Brown, 
Superintendent- 


1 26    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Hedding  Methodist  Sunday  School, 
Elmira,  New  York. 

Teacher's  Pledge  of  Prayer  and  Personal  Work 

God  helping  me,  I  will  earnestly  pray  each  day,  by 
name,  for  the  conversion  of  each  member  of  my  Sun- 
day School  class;  and  will  endeavour  to  so  illustrate 
in  my  life  the  gospel  of  Christ  which  I  teach,  and 
to  so  come  in  personal  contact  with  my  scholars  out- 
side the  Sunday  School,  as  to  help  answer  my  own 
prayers,  and  secure  the  conversion  of  every  member 
of  my  class. 

Dear  Teachers  in  the  Junior  and  Senior  Grades  : 
In  furthering  the  spiritual  work  of  the  church, 
and  in  aiding  to  secure  the  conversion  of  every  mem- 
ber of  our  Sunday  School,  I  desire  you  to  see  each 
of  your  scholars,  who  is  not  already  a  member  of 
the  church,  within  the  next  two  weeks,  and  talk  with 
them  concerning  their  personal  relation  to  Christ, 
and  the  duty  of  accepting  and  confessing  Him  as 
their  personal  Saviour. 

If  they  are  not  Christians,  if  possible,  bring  them 
to  a  decision  to  give  their  lives  to  Christ,  and  to 
publicly  profess  their  purpose  to  love  and  serve  Him, 

If  they  are  Christians,  but  never  united  with  the 
church,  try  and  secure  their  consent  to  join  the 
church  on  probation,  and  to  be  baptized.  If  they  have 
not  already  received  this  sacrament. 

If  possible,  each  one  should  be  seen  privately,  either 
at  your  own  home  or  at  their  home,  rather  than  be- 
fore other  members  of  the  class  during  the  session 
of  the  school. 

If  you  are  In  doubt  concerning  any  Individual  case, 
especially  with  the  younger  scholars,  I  would  advise 
conferring  with  the  parents. 

I  desire  to  meet  all  teachers  of  the  junior  and  sen- 
ior grades  on  Monday  evening  next,  January  4th,  at 
ihe  church  at  7:  30,  for  prayer  and  conference.  On 
the  following  Monday  evening,  January  nth,  we  will 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  127 

have  our  second  meeting,  to  receive  reports  and  to 
have  further  prayer  and  conference  together.  At 
our  tliird  meeting,  Monday  evening,  January  i8th, 
please  bring  with  you  to  the  service  all  scholars  who 
have  expressed  a  desire  to  lead  a  Christian  life  and 
to  unite  with  the  church. 

Please  use  the  enclosed  blank  for  report. 

Let  all  be  done  as  in  God's  sight,  by  men  and 
women  who  are  intrusted  by  the  church  with  the 
training  of  immortal  souls.  Go  in  prayer  and  faith. 
You  will  have  the  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  the 
prayers  of 

Your  pastor, 

R  T.  Keeney. 


BusHwicK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Sunday  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Teacher: 

During  the  week  following  January  22nd  I 
shall  send  to  all  of  the  scholars  in  your  class,  who  are 
not  on  our  church  books  as  members  or  probationers, 
a  personal  appeal  to  decide  to  live  a  Christian  life. 
With  that  appeal  I  will  enclose  a  decision  card  which 
I  shall  ask  them  to  sign  and  hand  or  mail  to  me  by 
Sunday,  February  5th,  which  we  hope  shall  be  a  great 
decision  day  in  our  Senior  and  Junior  Departments. 

May  I  ask  that  during  these  next  few  weeks  you 
will  be  much  in  prayer  for  your  scholars,  remember- 
ing them  daily  by  name,  and  as  opportunity  comes, 
in  the  lesson  and  individually,  bear  home  lovingly, 
wisely,  the  claims  of  the  Master  for  their  love  and 
life  and  service,  and  their  need  of  Him. 

A  few  words  of  prayer  with  your  class,  as  they 
shall  bow  their  heads  before  or  after  the  lesson,  may 
be  very  helpful  in  assisting  their  decisions  and  bring- 
ing home  to  their  hearts  the  truth. 


1 28    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

This  is  the  chief  end  of  our  work.  This  may  be 
the  crucial  time  for  some  souls  in  your  class  who  have 
been  redeemed  by  the  precious  blood  of  Christ.  Be 
instant  in  prayer!  Persuade  by  life  and  word! 
Seek  for  a  fresh  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit  upon 
your  own  life.  Keep  close  to  the  Master.  God  will, 
I  believe,  wonderfully  honour  His  Word  in  the  sal- 
vation of  many  souls,  if  we  prove  faithful  to  Him. 
Cordially  yours, 

Frank  L.  Brown, 
Superintendent. 


BusHWiCK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Bible  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Friend: 

Through  this  message  I  am  seeking  your 
earnest  cooperation  with  the  pastor,  myself  and  the 
Bible  School  officers  in  two  definite  ways.     They  are : 

First — Your  personal  effort  with  your  scholars 
and  their  parents  in  winning  both  to  an  acceptance  of 
Jesus  Christ  as  Saviour  and  Lord,  during  the  two 
weeks  of  Evangelistic  meetings  at  the  Church  which 
begin  Monday  evening,  January  29th.  Prof.  Isaac 
Meredith  will  be  in  charge  of  the  chorus.  Will  you 
not  plan  through  letter,  or  through  invitation  of 
scholars  to  your  home  for  a  personal  talk,  or  through 
individual  talks  at  the  school,  and  through  class 
prayer  during  the  lesson,  to  reach  every  scholar  who 
is  not  an  announced  Christian — and  continue  these 
efforts,  If  needed,  beyond  the  meetings  until  real 
decisions  have  been  made? 

Second — Until  Easter  Day  the  school  will  be  en- 
gaged in  an  Attendance  and  Membership  Campaign. 
Each  department  will  have  a  goal  and  credit  will  be 
given  each  department  for  new  members  whether 
brought  for  the   Cradle   Roll,   Home   Department, 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  129 

Men's  Department,  etc.  We  desire  in  this  way  to 
bring  a  larger  number  under  the  influence  of  the 
Evangehstic  outreach  of  the  Church,  and  to  be  in 
harmony  with  the  Visitation,  Extension  and  Evan- 
gehstic movement  which  is  now  under  way  in 
Greater  New  York. 

This  would  seem  to  be  God's  time  for  a  great  for- 
ward movement  for  the  Kingdom  here.  Prayer, 
faith  and  your  individual  effort,  plus  the  inspiration 
of  your  class  to  similar  effort,  are  needed  at  this 
time  if  the  harvest  is  to  be  gathered.  May  I  not 
depend  upon  you  and  will  you  not  begin  your  co- 
operation TO-DAY? 

Your  friend, 

Frank  L.  Brown, 
Superintendent.. 


BusHwiCK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Bible  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Fello w- worker  : 

Two  things  have  been  before  us  as  goals  for 
1912-13 — "  Bushwick  for  Christ "  and  Bushwick's 
Dedication  Week,  January  26th  to  February  2d. 
From  the  beginning  of  our  Fall  work  the  Holy  Spirit 
has  been  leading  us  to  prayer  and  expectation  for  a 
large  ingathering  of  our  School  to  Christ  and  the 
Church,  that  the  Dedication  days  may  be  made  signif- 
icant in  a  great  spiritual  harvest. 

And  now,  the  holidays  past,  we  are  facing  three 
weeks  of  special  services  every  night  excepting  Sat- 
urday, leading  up  to  Dedication  Week.  What  shall 
they  mean  to  you,  to  the  undecided  of  your  class,  to 
the  unconverted  parents  of  your  scholars'  homes? 
The  decision  rests  with  you  more  than  with  pastor  or 
officers.  I  pray  you  will  deeply  realize  that  Christ  is 
depending  upon  you  at  this  hour  of  great  need. 


130    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

May  I  urge  upon  you  several  things : 
1st,  That  you  pray  daily  by  name  for  every  un- 
converted scholar  in  your  class. 
2d,    That  you  gather  with  the  Christian  scholars 
of  your  class  for  prayer  for  those  undecided. 
3d,    That  you  write  a  letter  at  once  to  every  non- 
Qiristian  member  of   the   class   urging   im- 
mediate decision,   and  where  possible   write 
the  parents  asking  for  cooperation. 
4th,  That  you  make  occasion  for  a  personal  heart- 
to-heart  talk  with  these  and  if  possible  per- 
sonally pray  with  them  as  well  as  for  them. 
5th,  That  you  secure  the  attendance  of  the  scholars 
and  parents  at  the  meetings,  sitting  with  your 
scholars  at  the  services  wherever  possible. 
We  pledge  you  our  earnest  prayers  as  you  give 
yourself  to  this  loving  toil  for  Christ.     "  Every  mem- 
ber of  my  class  for  Christ "  will  realize  our  aim, 
"  Bushwick  for  Christ."     And  what  a   Dedication 
Week  this  will  mean  for  the  glory  of  God  as  we  look 
out  upon  the  years  to  come. 

Yours  for  Christ, 

Frank  L.  Brown,  Supt., 
Harry  G.  Simpson,  Ass't  Supt, 
H.  B.  Munson,  Pastor. 


Greenway  Sunday  School, 
Philadelphia 

Philadelphia,  Pa. 

How  do  you  arrange  your  household?  Is  it  not 
your  effort  to  see  that  each  expenditure,  whether  of 
money  or  endeavour,  is  so  made  as  to  produce  the 
best  results?  Your  house  so  kept  that  it  may  truly 
be  home  to  those  connected  with  it,  whether  those  at 
home  during  the  day  or  those  away  providing  the 
means  to  keep  it? 

How  do  you  arrange  your  school-work?  Do  you 
not  strive  to  study  your  pupils;  to  see  that  they  get 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  131 

the  best  you  can  give — each  for  himself — so  alike 
and  yet  so  absolutely  different  ? 

How  do  you  carry  on  your  business  ?  Do  you  not 
seek  to  use  effectively  all  you  have,  time,  energy, 
money?  Do  you  not  endeavour  to  find  what  plans 
will  best  further  your  work  and  make  it  tell  ?  Or,  if 
you  work  for  another,  do  you  not  try  to  make  each 
stroke  of  hammer  or  pen,  each  effort  of  mind  or 
body,  produce  the  best  results  for  your  employer? 

And  how  do  we  approach  that  glorious  work  given 
to  us  by  God — all  the  more  glorious  because  entirely 
voluntary?  Are  we  studying  the  individuals  of  our 
classes  as  separate  human  entities,  as  spirits  clothed 
with  human  bodies,  as  creations  of  the  Divine  Mas- 
ter? Are  we  doing  this  to  help  them,  to  give  them 
out  of  the  unfailing  store  which  is  ours  for  the  ask- 


msr 


We  know  the  limitations  of  school,  business  or 
home — too  little  capital  or  not  as  much  ability  or 
opportunity  as  we  would  like — a  little  less  education 
or  experience  than  we  want  to  meet  the  emergencies 
and  trials  of  the  schoolroom — a  little  less  money  than 
we  think  we  need  to  ease  one's  mind  from  the  little 
daily  economies  which  are  so  necessary,  yet  so  irk- 
some. 

For  our  work  there  are  no  limitations.  We  have 
all  the  capital  we  need;  all  the  ability  and  oppor- 
tunities we  require;  all  the  education  and  experience 
that  is  necessary ;  all  the  means  we  want  in  the  out- 
flowing love  of  Jesus  Christ  in  His  strength. 

Therefore  the  work  of  individual  soul-winning  is 
the  greatest  work  that  God  permits  us  to  do.  It 
was  Christ's  own  preferred  method  of  work  as  it  is 
His  preferred  method  for  us  to-day.  For  it  is  always 
the  most  effective  way  of  working. 

It  is  the  hardest  work  in  the  world  to  do,  and  it 
always  will  be  the  hardest ;  for  "  the  Devil  opposes  it 
most  bitterly  and  always  will  as  long  as  he  is  allowed 
to  oppose  anything  good.    Therefore  the  worker  who 


132    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

seeks  to  win  individuals  to  Christ  may  rest  assured 
that  he  has,  by  entering  upon  that  work,  served 
notice  upon  the  Devil  for  a  lif e-and-death  conflict." 

But  as  hard  work  never  yet  put  you  to  flight,  may 
our  loving  Lord  add  His  blessing  and  strength  to 
your  continued  efforts  to  oppose  the  Devil  in  your 
work  of  individual  soul-winning. 

That  our  loving  Heavenly  Father  may  more  fully 
prepare  us  for  the  work  of  next  Sunday,  as  you  know 
we  are  going  to  meet  immediately  after  the  morning 
service  for  Communion  at  His  table,  and  at  2 :  30  we 
will  gather  again  in  a  service  of  special  intercession 
for  additional  strength  for  the  afternoon. 
Very  affectionately. 

Your  Superintendents. 


Jefferson  Avenue  Presbyterian  Church 

Detroit,  Mich. 
Dear  "  Fellow-Pastor  " : 

I  wish  I  could  have  a  little  talk  with  each  of 
you  Sunday  School  teachers  about  your  class  parishes. 
I  must  make  a  letter  do  instead. 

What  I  want  to  talk  about  is  this :  On  the  basis  of 
the  reports  you  made  out  for  me  this  year  and  last, 
there  are  a  hundred  of  our  scholars  from  twelve  to 
seventeen  years  of  age  who  are  members  of  no 
church. 

In  my  pastoral  calling  I  find  former  scholars  who 
left  the  school  without  becoming  professing  Chris- 
tians. They  have  never  become  so  since,  and  are 
now  entirely  indifferent  to  Christ  and  the  church,  and 
are  deaf  to  any  appeal  I  can  make.  The  time  for 
decisive  religious  awakening  went  by  with  them  un- 
utilized, and  now  it  seems  to  be  too  late.  Statistics 
show  that  about  120  out  of  every  140  Christians  take 
the  decisive  step  between  the  ages  of  ten  and  seven- 
teen. 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  133 

Can  we  do  anything  to  stop  the  drift  of  our  one 
hundred  into  indifference  ? 

I  think  we  can.  If  each  teacher  will  take  the 
names  of  the  scholars  outside  of  the  church,  and  will 
have,  hi  private,  a  full  and  frank  talk  with  each 
scholar  between  this  and  November  9th,  a  great  deal 
may  be  done  to  stop  the  drift. 

Why  set  a  date  ? 

First,  because,  if  we  do  not,  it  is  human  nature  to 
keep  putting  off,  and  the  thing  is  not  done.  Secondly, 
throughout  our  great  Presbyterian  communion  the 
week  November  2  to  9  is  being  set  aside  for  such  in- 
dividual work.  Finally,  we  want  to  stand  with  the 
rest  of  the  Sunday  School  world  in  observing  No- 
vember 9  as  Decision  Day. 

With  us  this  day  will  mean  giving  those  to  whom 
you  have  talked  or  written  (for  a  letter  is  sometimes 
as  good  as  a  talk,  but  not  often)  an  opportunity  to 
signify  in  some  quiet  manner  the  decision  they  have 
made. 

Of  the  one  hundred  many  are  already  true  Chris- 
tians. A  word  of  encouragement,  and  they  may  be 
ready  to  confess  Christ,  or,  at  least,  join  a  pastor's 
class. 

Many  others  are  very  careless.  Some  do  not  have 
Christian  home  influences.  Your  appeal  may  stir 
them  deeply. 

As  I  look  over  your  class  lists,  I  see  the  same  diffi- 
culties you  see.  It  will  be  hard  to  speak  to  some.  It 
is  hard  for  some  of  you  to  speak  on  so  personal  a 
matter  to  any  one.  I  think  I  know  the  excuses  that 
will  come  to  your  mind.  I  ought  to,  for  I  have  made 
them  often  enough  to  myself. 

"  My  scholars  will  raise  doubts  I  cannot  answer." 
Try  to  hold  them  to  the  main  question,  the  character 
and  claims  of  Christ. 

"  I  have  already  asked  them  to  confess  Christ  and 
join  the  Church,  and  nothing  came  of  it."  Try  again. 
The  next  time  may  win  them. 


134    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

"  My  scholars  are  so  indifferent."  Christ  came  to 
call  the  indifferent.     They  most  need  Him. 

"  Others  could  do  more  with  them  than  I."  But 
you  are  responsible  for  your  influence.  Still  get  the 
help  of  others.  A  word  to  the  parents  may  be  wise. 
Set  other  Christian  scholars  to  work.  Tell  me  where 
I  can  help. 

My  hope  is  that  a  large  number  of  our  scholars  will 
be  ready  to  go  into  pastor's  classes  for  careful  in- 
struction. Those  who  are  ready  can  then  unite  with 
the  church  at  the  January  communion. 

Some  will  question  whether  those  who  take  a  stand 
on  this  matter  so  young  will  hold  out.  The  assured 
facts  of  the  case  confirmed  by  such  investigators  as 
Professor  Coe  or  Professor  Starbuck,  and  by  multi- 
tudes of  Christian  workers,  show  that  they  are  more 
likely  to  stand  the  test  of  time  than  those  who  give 
themselves  to  God  later  in  life. 

Shut  up  in  my  room,  how  I  have  gone  up  and  down 
that  schoolroom  from  class  to  class  in  thought  and 
prayer !     I  have  not  omitted  one  teacher,  new  or  old. 

You  will  forgive  this  long  letter,  I  could  not  but 
write  it.  Faithfully  yours, 

Alfred  H.  Barr. 


The  report  referred  to  in  the  letter  v^as  the 
annual  report  of  the  teachers  to  the  pastor.  It 
is  a  printed  blank,  giving  in  order :  Age,  if  under 
twenty;  name  of  present  scholars,  grade,  resi- 
dence, and  answer  to  No.  3,  which  is,  "  What 
church  do  parents  belong  to?"  An  explana- 
tory note  calls  for  full  baptismal  name,  the  un- 
derscoring of  names  of  scholars  who  are  mem- 
bers of  "  our  church,"  an  answer  as  to  whether 
pupils  have  been  visited  lately,   and  whether 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  1 35 

pupils  visit  teacher.  Irregular  scholars'  names 
are  to  be  indicated,  and  those  who  left  during 
the  year. 

(b)     Before  Rally  Day. 

(From  superintendent.) 

BusHwiCK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Bible  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Friend: 

Sunday,  September  27th,  is  to  be  Bushwick's 
great  Mobilization  Day.  Each  department  will  be  a 
ship  in  that  squadron.  The  class  crews  are  expected 
to  respond  to  the  last  person.  We  are  in  dead  ear- 
nest. We  are  to  fight  sin  in  the  human  heart,  sin  in 
tlie  community,  sin  in  the  world.  Only  the  atoning 
blood  of  Christ  can  do  this,  and  His  indwelling 
power. 

Will  you  not  meet  face  to  face  the  great  Captain 
of  your  salvation  in  the  secret  place  of  prayer  until 
His  own  longing  for  the  salvation  of  souls  is  burned 
into  your  soul,  and  His  own  likeness  reflected  in  your 
life?  Only  thus  can  we  have  power  in  our  personal 
work  in  the  school. 

On  Mobilization  Day  we  shall  fling  out  four  stand- 
ards for  the  year : 

Every  scholar  a  Christian. 
Every  Christian  a  worker. 
Every  debt  paid. 
Every  class  a  missionary  force. 

The  following  things  I  am  depending  on  you  to  do : 
First :  Secure,  by  call  or  pen,  the  presence,  on  Sep- 
tember 27th,  of  every  member  of  your  class  for 
Mobilization  Day. 


136    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Second:  Pastor  Richards  is  to  give  a  special  mes- 
sage to  the  officers  and  teachers — Mobilization  Sun- 
day at  10:30  A.  M.  Meet  in  Intermediate  room  at 
10 :  20  and  march  to  reserved  seats  in  church. 

Third:  Try  for  a  twenty-five  per  cent,  increase  in 
your  class  membership  this  fall. 

Fourth:  Keep  in  mind  the  Annual  Teachers'  So- 
cial, date  to  be  announced  later. 

Fifth:  Reserve  September  21st  and  the  third  Mon- 
day of  each  month  thereafter  for  the  Teachers' 
Monthly  Business  Meeting. 

Yours  for  a  great  Mobilization  Day 
and  a  year  of  Conquest  for  Christ, 

Frank  L.  Brown, 
Superintendent. 


(c)    A  May  effort. 

(From  superintendent.) 

BusHwiCK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Sunday  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Fellow-worker  : 

On  Sunday  morning,  May  6th,  some  of  our 
young  people  are  to  unite  with  the  church  on  proba- 
tion. Are  there  not  some  in  your  class  who  should 
take  this  step?  I  frequently  find  a  scholar  waiting 
for  the  loving,  wise  invitation  of  a  teacher  in  order 
to  decide  fully  for  Christ  and  to  become  a  member  of 
His  Church;  I  pray  that  you  may  be  helped  in  this 
important  ministry  to  the  lives  of  those  committed 
to  your  shepherding,  that  they  may  be  brought  within 
the  "  fold  "  of  the  Good  Shepherd. 

Will  you  not  before  May  6th,  through  a  personal 
letter  or  talk,  reach  those  in  your  class  who  you  may 
think  should  come  to  this  decision  and  hand  their 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  137 

names  to  the  pastor,  Miss  Clarkson  or  myself.  In 
this  May-time  of  their  Hves,  it  seems  fitting  that  this 
great  choice  should  be  consummated. 

Cordially  yours, 

Frank  L.  Brown. 


(d)     A  Children's  Day  plan.  , 

(From  pastor  and  superintendent.)' 

BusHwiCK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Bible  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Friend  : . 

Reports  from  about  one-half  the  teachers  of 
the  Intermediate  and  Senior  Departments  give  the  in- 
teresting information  that  from  fifty  to  sixty  per  cent, 
of  the  classes  reporting  were  members  or  proba- 
tioners in  the  church. 

We  desire  very  much  to  bring  to  a  Christian  deci- 
sion all  who  have  not  yet  become  Christians  or  openly 
confessed  Christ.  We  plan  to  send  to  all  such,  be- 
tween now  and  Children's  Day,  a  joint  letter  from 
pastor  and  superintendent  urging  that  they  decide  for 
Christ  and  His  Church.  To  enable  us  to  do  this  in- 
telligently we  must  have  the  names  and  addresses  of 
all  not  now  identified  with  some  church.  We  are 
enclosing  herewith  a  list  of  your  class.  Will  you 
please  check  up  this  list  promptly,  placing  an  "  M  " 
opposite  those  who  are  members  or  probationers  in 
this  or  some  other  church  and  an  "  X  "  opposite  those 
who  are  not  such  members  or  probationers.  If  you 
are  doubtful  put  a  question  mark  opposite. 

You  will,  of  course,  appreciate  the  wisdom  of 
doing  this  tactfully  and  carefully.  Will  you  return 
these  lists  to  your  secretary  as  near  to  May  ist  as 
possible?    And  will  you  not  yourself  both  pray  and 


138    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

work,  as  God  shall  give  you  grace,  for  the  decision  of 

every  one  of  your  class  ? 

Your  friends, 

George  E.  Bishop,  Pastor, 
Frank  L.  Brown,  Supt. 


{e)     The  teacher's  goal. 
(From  pastor,  superintendent  and  associate.) 

BusHwiCK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Bible  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Friend  : 

May  we  welcome  you  most  cordially  to  the 
circle  of  Bushwick's  officers  and  teachers,  a  circle  of 
friendship  and  prayer  and  unity  in  our  purpose  to 
make  Christ  King  in  our  own  hearts  and  in  the  lives 
of  our  scholars? 

You  have  become  a  worker  in  a  school  which  has 
for  its  objective — to  win  to  Christ — to  train  for 
Christ.  And  we  recognize  that  the  greatest  force  in 
achieving  these  results  is  the  teacher's  life,  the 
teacher's  love,  the  teacher's  vision  of  Christ,  the 
teacher's  grip  on  the  lesson  truth. 

I  am  sure,  as  you  enter  this  fellowship  of  service, 
you  will  realize  that  the  department  in  which  you 
labour  is  only  a  part  of  the  whole  school,  and  that 
you  will  pray  daily  not  simply  for  your  scholars  and 
their  homes,  but  for  the  workers  and  members  and 
homes  of  the  entire  school.  As  a  teacher  you  will 
find  that  the  letter  to  your  scholar  or  a  visit  to  the 
home,  your  touch  upon  their  social  life  will  multiply 
many  fold  your  influence.  The  memory  of  these 
things  will  be  treasured  long  after  you  are  gone. 

"  We  seek  the  best " — the  best  Friend,  the  best 
Book,  the  best  Service.     May  the  rich  compensations 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  139 

of  the  presence  and  friendship  of  the  Master  Teacher 
be  your  reward  and  may  you  be  with  us  for  many 
years  of  fruitful  and  happy  toil. 
Your  friends, 

George  E.  Bishop,  Pastor, 
Frank  L.  Brown,  Supt., 
H.  G.  Simpson,  Asso.  Supt 


(/)     After  Decision  Day. 

(From  the  superintendents.) 

Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Dear  Teacher  : 

We  have  passed  through  a  wonderful  time. 
May  the  God  of  peace  guide  us  and  help  us  guide 
our  dear  ones  into  life  and  through  life. 

We  have  sown  the  seed.  Now  we  must  watch, 
water  and  cultivate  until  we  have  strong  Christian 
fruit. 

Every  class  should  be  a  training  school  for  service, 
and  every  scholar  should  be  hard  at  work  in  that 
service  between  sessions.  Do  not  forget  to  keep  up 
the  prayer  circle  idea  for  individual  and  collective 
strength.  Do  not  forget  the  educational  power  of 
the  Scriptures,  and  urge  the  constant  reading  of  the 
Bible. 

The  need  and  duty  of  "  follow  up  "  work  here  are 
as  vital  as  in  every  other  field  of  effort,  and  our  fail- 
ure to  follow  up  may  mean  complete  failure. 

Those  who  have  signed  these  cards,  and  others  who 
may  have  been  impressed,  may  stumble  and  fall  for 
lack  of  the  encouragement  we  may  be  able  to  give. 

"  Fear  thou  not ;  for  I  am  with  thee :  be  not  dis- 
mayed; for  I  am  thy  God;  I  will  strengthen  thee; 
yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  with  the  right  hand  of  my 
righteousness." 

Very  affectionately. 

Your  Superintendents. 


140    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

BuSHWiCK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Bible  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Friend: 

In  the  decision  cards  which  were  used  in  the 
school  on  November  21st,  the  scholars  in  your  class, 
named  below,  signified  that  they  were  Christians  or 
desired  to  be,  or  asked  the  prayers  of  Christians. 
They  do  not  appear  to  be  connected  with  the  church. 

We  desire,  while  their  interest  is  aroused,  to  press 
the  matter  of  decision.  May  we  rely  upon  you  be- 
tween now  and  Sunday  or  on  Sunday  afternoon  to 
reach  with  a  personal  word  these,  and  any  others  who 
may  have  been  absent  or  undecided  that  day,  and 
enlist  them  for  Christ  and  the  Church? 

On  Sunday  morning  and  evening  opportunity  will 
be  given  to  unite  with  the  church  on  probation,  and 
you  may  be  able  to  secure  these  for  that  step.  Will 
you  kindly  return  this  with  the  report  of  your  effort, 
with  each  one,  adding  to  the  list  names  of  any  others 
in  the  class  you  may  be  able  to  interest  who  are  not 
now  the  followers  of  Christ? 

I  shall  pray  earnestly  for  you  in  this  mission  for 
the  Master. 

Cordially  yours, 

Frank  L.  Brown, 
Superintendent. 
Name "Address Report 

2.    Letters  to  Scholars 
(a)     In  welcoming  the  new  scholar. 
(From  the  superintendents.) 

Bushwick  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Bible  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Friend  : 

When  we  say  to  you  welcome  to  the  member- 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  141 

ship  and  life  of  Bushwick  School  this  now  means  that 
you  have  well  come  to  a  school  and  to  a  department 
of  the  school  that  stands  for  fellowship,  for  good 
cheer,  for  the  best  ideals  of  life. 

And  the  quicker  you  can  "  home  "  yourself  as  one 
of  the  family  circle  the  happier  we  shall  be  and  the 
better  we  shall  like  it.  You  have  not  come  as  a 
sponge,  we  know,  but  to  give  out  of  the  best  there  is 
in  you,  of  friendship,  of  song,  of  wholesome  living, 
of  cooperation  in  class  study  and  work.  "  We  only 
keep  what  we  give  away,"  and  we  invite  you  to  enter 
this  growing  circle  of  givers  of  heart  and  hand  and 
life. 

As  a  school,  and  as  officers,  we  count  every  scholar 
as  a  friend,  and  want  you  to  feel  free  to  come  to  us 
at  any  time  for  counsel,  for  help  in  any  of  your  life 
problems.  That  Christ  shall  be  revealed  to  you  here 
as  Saviour,  as  Friend,  is  our  earnest  prayer.  And  we 
trust  the  memory  of  Bushwick  School  will  be  among 
the  brightest  of  the  years.  Again  we  say  welcome. 
And,  if  you  will,  bring  a  friend. 
Yours  cordially, 

Frank  L.  Brown,  Supt., 
RoBT.  Young,  Supt.  Senior  Dept. 

Before  Decision  Day. 

(b)     From  superintendent. 

Bushwick  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Bible  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Friend: 

I  am  deeply  interested  in  your  life.  It  has 
great  possibilities.  You  are  at  a  point  of  life  where 
you  are  thinking  and  deciding.  You  wish  to  make  of 
your  life  one  that  shall  be  pure  and  strong  and  true, 
one  that  shall  respond  to  the  best.  May  I  as  your 
friend  ask  that  in  this  time  of  the  making  of  life's 


142    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

ideals,  when  you  are  laying  the  foundation  of  your 
character  and  destiny,  you  will  make  one  choice,  one 
decision,  that  will  mean  the  happiness,  the  success  of 
all  the  years  that  follow,  and  that  you  will  make  it 
now? 

Some  of  the  best  decisions  of  our  lives  are  the 
quiet  ones.  The  one  I  am  asking  you  to  make  is  the 
most  important  of  any  in  your  life.  May  I  suggest 
that  in  making  it,  if  not  already  made,  you  will  in  the 
quiet  of  your  room  kneel  before  God  and  honestly 
ask  Him,  "  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ?  "• 
And  His  answer  will  come,  I  believe,  in  the  words 
of  John,  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  which  taketh 
away  the  sins  of  the  world."  And  then  the  Master 
can  be  heard  saying,  "  Follow  me."  "  Come  and 
see." 

There  are  many  questions  that  may  come  to  your 
life  after  you  begin  to  follow  Him,  but  there  is  one 
safe  way  in  which  you  can  have  them  decided: 
"  What  would  Jesus  do  ?  " 

I  am  very  anxious  for  your  sake,  and  for  the  sake 
of  the  Master  who  needs  your  life,  and  who  tenderly 
pleads  with  you,  that  before  the  new  year  has  grown 
older  you  should  record  your  decision  to  be  His,  and 
let  me  know  it  on  the  enclosed  card.  Will  you 
kindly,  thoughtfully,  after  prayer,  fill  out  the  card 
and  hand  or  send  it  to  me  by  Sunday,  February  5th, 
which  we  are  all  looking  forward  to  as  a  great  Deci- 
sion Day  ?  I  shall  pray  that  your  decision  will  mean 
the  acceptance,  and  not  rejection,  of  Him  who  says, 
"  Behold,  I  stand  at  the  door  and  knock." 

I  shall  be  very  glad  to  have  you  write  or  talk  to  me 
frankly  at  any  time  concerning  your  questions  and 
difficulties,  for  I  want  to  help  you  if  I  can.  Feel  per- 
fectly free  to  do  this,  for  I  shall  appreciate  your  con- 
fidence, and  want  you  to  count  me  as  your  friend. 
Cordially  yours, 

Frank  L.  Brown, 
Superlntendenti 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  1 43 

(c)  From  pastor  and  superintendent. 

Central  United 
Presbyterian  Sabbath  School 

Omaha,  Neb. 
Dear  Friend  and  Scholar  : 

The  enclosed  leaflet  will  tell  you  the  purpose 
of  "  Decision  Day."  The  pledge  card  herewith  ex- 
plains itself.  We  need  only  to  add  for  ourselves,  and 
in  behalf  of  your  teacher,  who  is  also  your  dear 
friend,  that  we  all  join  in  the  hope  and  the  prayer 
that  you  will  now  take  a  stand  for  Jesus  Christ,  and 
accept  the  salvation  He  has  offered  you.  Pray  over 
it,  talk  it  over  with  your  parents,  or  your  teacher,  or 
both.  Then,  if  you  see  your  way  clear,  sign  this 
card,  and  return  to  your  teacher  next  Sabbath, 

Our  pastor  will  arrange  for  a  class  of  those  so  ex- 
pressing a  desire  to  lead  the  Christian  life,  instructing 
them  in  what  it  means  to  be  a  Christian,  and  the 
duties  and  privileges  of  a  church  member,  this  class 
to  meet  once  a  week  until  the  next  communion  serv- 
ice, when  you  will  formally  be  received  into  the 
church,  if  you  still  so  desire.  Thus  you  or  your  par- 
ents need  not  fear  that  you  are  not  well  enough  in- 
formed before  you  unite  with  the  church. 

Should  you  prefer  to  unite  wiih  some  other  church 
than  ours,  you  are  at  liberty  to  do  so.  Our  great  de- 
sire is  that  you  become  a  Christian,  and  enrolled 
somewhere  as  one  of  Christ's  followers. 

May  God  be  with  you,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  guide 
you.  Your  sincere  friends, 

John  M.  Ross,  Pastor, 
George  G.  Wallace,  Supt. 

(d)  From  the  teacher. 

26  Broadzvay,  New  York,  Dec.  14,  ipop. 
Dear  Mr.  Blank  : 

Following  our  usual  custom  with  reference  to 
new  members  of  the  Young  Men's  Bible  Class,  I  am 


144    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

venturing  to  inquire  regarding  your  position  in  regard 
to  the  Christian  life  and  church  affiliation.  If  you 
are  a  member  of  some  church  it  will  be  a  help  and  an 
encouragement  to  all  of  those  engaged  in  the  work 
of  the  Young  Men's  Bible  Class  to  know  that  you  are 
thus  enrolled. 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  you  have  not  yet  taken  any 
definite  Christian  stand,  perhaps  there  are  some  of  us 
in  the  class  who  can  be  of  help  to  you  in  forming 
your  opinion  as  to  what  is  the  right  course  for  you  to 
pursue.  I  am  convinced  from  my  own  experience 
that  the  greatest  joy  in  life  comes  from  Christian 
service  and  association,  and  I  earnestly  covet  this  joy 
for  you. 

I  inclose  herewith  a  blank  slip  upon  which  you  can 
indicate  your  position  perhaps  more  easily  than  in  any 
other  way.  Will  you  not,  whatever  your  position 
may  be,  fill  out  the  slip  and  send  it  to  me  by  return 
mail?  Very  truly, 

John  D.  Rockefeller,  Jr. 

The  questions  on  the  blank  provided  are: 

Are  you  a  member  of  the  church?  If  so,  what 
church?  And  where?  Are  you  a  Christian?  If  so, 
are  there  doubts,  difficulties  or  questions  which  stand 
between  you  and  the  Church  ?  If  neither  of  the  fore- 
going, are  you  interested  in  matters  which  make  for  a 
Christian  life?  Or  have  you  never  given  such  mat- 
ters much  thought  ? 

A  return  envelope,  addressed  to  Mr.  Rocke- 
feller at  the  Standard  Oil  Building,  is  enclosed. 

Dear : 

The  writer  of  John's  Gospel  gives  the  follow- 
ing reason  for  writing  his  story  of  the  life  of  Jesus: 
"  That  ye  might  believe  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  145 

Son  of  God,  and  that  believing  ye  might  have  Ufe 
through  His  name." 

This  is  the  true  aim  of  all  Sunday  School  vv^ork, 
and  this  is  my  object  in  teaching  our  class.  I  very 
much  wish  that  you  would  write  me  a  letter  this  week, 
and  answer  these  three  questions : 

1.  What  is  it  to  be  a  true  disciple  of  Jesus  Christ? 

2.  Are  you  one  of  His  disciples  or  do  you  wish 
with  all  your  heart  to  be  one  ? 

3.  If  you  are  not  yet  a  Christian  are  you  ready  at 
this  time  to  become  one  ? 

{e)     From  superintendent  to  young  men.. 

BusHwicK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Bible  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Friend: 

Sunday  evening,  February  6th,  will  be  Young 
Men's  night  in  the  church.  A  number  of  our  Senior 
young  men  are  coming  into  church  membership  that 
evening,  as  members  of  the  large  30th  Anniversary 
Class,  which  is  extended  to  the  first  Sunday  in  Feb- 
ruary. 

I  am  writing  to  you  as  one  deeply  interested  in 
what  your  life  shall  be,  to  urge  that  you  now  line  up 
for  Jesus  Christ  and  the  Church,  and  take  your  posi- 
tion as  a  Christian  young  man.  You  may  already 
have  decided  this  question  in  your  heart,  but  have 
hesitated  about  joining  the  church  on  some  question 
of  practice  in  relation  to  the  Methodist  Church.  May 
I  say  to  you  for  the  pastor  and  myself,  that  we  desire 
you  first  to  be  sure  that  you  have  decided  for  Christ 
as  Saviour  and  Friend,  and  we  are  then  ready  to 
leave  with  you  the  question  of  conduct  on  the  basis 
of  your  relationship  to  Christ. 

H  you  are  already  in  the  church,  we  want  you  on 
the  evening  of  February  6th,  to  come  to  the  front  and 


146    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

stand  behind  those  who  shall  join,  and  meanwhile  to 
pray  and  work  for  your  friends. 

Inform  the  pastor,  teacher  or  myself  of  your  deci- 
sion by  next  Sunday,  if  possible.     I  pray  it  may  be 
one  of  great  consequence  in  your  life. 
Your  friend, 

Frank  L.  Brown. 


'(/)     Easter  appeal  to  enlisted  boys. 

(From  pastor  and  superintendents.) 

BusHwicK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Bible  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Friend: 

Whether  in  this  country  or  in  France  on 
Easter  Day  we  want  you  to  know  that  you  will  have 
a  special  place  in  our  heart  and  thought  and  prayers 
on  that  day. 

It  may  seem  a  bit  strange  not  to  be  in  the  old 
church  on  Easter  Day,  but  you  are  in  an  infinitely 
better  place  if  in  the  line  of  duty  and  helping  by  your 
service  to  bring  about  a  world's  Easter  Day  that 
shall  mean  something  to  humanity  everywhere. 

"  Roll  ye  away  the  stone  from  the  sepulcher  "  was 
said  on  that  first  Easter.  And  on  this  last  Easter  of 
the  world,  America  is  saying  to  you,  "  Roll  ye  away 
the  stone  from  the  sepulcher  of  the  world's  oppressed 
nations,  against  whose  door  militarism  and  autocracy 
have  rolled  a  great  stone."  You  will  bid  the  peoples 
go  forth  to  a  new  and  glad  freedom  never  again  to 
be  enslaved.  And  in  your  noble  mission  Christ 
stands  by  you  and  with  you  and  we  are  with  you  con- 
stantly. May  the  Easter  joy  be  in  your  lives.  "  The 
Lord  is  risen!     He  is  risen  indeed." 

Our  enlisted  men  number  250.  Some  2,000  were 
present  at  our  patriotic  service  when  the  tablets  were 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  147 

unveiled  and  Colonel  Sidney  Grant  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Pendry  of  the  59th  Coast  Artillery  spoke. 

On  Easter  morning  we  shall  take  a  large  number 
into  the  church.  Shall  we  enlist  you  as  one  of  our 
absent  members  that  day  if  you  have  not  heretofore 
made  your  public  decision  for  Christ?  This  would 
be  the  finest  thing  you  could  do  for  Easter  Day, 
Drop  us  a  line  at  once  saying  "  Yes." 
Your  friends, 

George  E.  Bishop,  Pastor, 
Frank  L.  Brown,  Supt, 
Harry  G.  Simpson,  Asso,  Supt. 

(g)     To  members  of  *'  Triangles." 
(From  superintendent.) 

BusHWiCK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Bible  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Friend: 

I  am  writing  to  you  from  my  heart,  as  one 
deeply  interested  in  you  personally,  and  I  am  writing 
to  you  as  a  member  of  the  Triangle  Organization, 
which  occupies  such  a  strategic  position  as  the  rep- 
resentative Young  Men's  Organization  in  our  Sunday 
School  and  church  life. 

I  am  very  anxious  that  every  member  of  this  im- 
portant organization  should  line  up  for  Christ  and  the 
Church  for  his  own  sake,  and  for  the  sake  of  the  in- 
fluence of  the  step  upon  others  who  are  coming  on, 
and  who  take  example  from  you.  It  may  be  you 
have  within  your  own  heart  already  decided  for 
Christ,  but  have  not  decided  for  the  Church.  Will 
you  not  have  the  courage  to  take  this  step  and  come 
in  with  a  number  of  others  on  the  first  Sunday  even- 
ing of  February  as  one  of  the  large  30th  Anniversary 
Class.    This  will  be  Young  Men's  evening. 


148    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Let  me  say  that  the  pastor  and  myself  feel  that  the 
first  thing  to  decide  is  your  personal  relationship  to 
Christ.  If  that  is  decided,  we  are  ready  to  trust  to 
you  matters  of  conduct,  on  the  basis  of  this  relation- 
ship to  Christ.  No  life  is  strong  without  this  prin- 
ciple, and  we  believe  you  will  guide  the  details  of 
your  life  on  this  principle. 

If  already  a  member  of  the  church,  will  you  not 
pray  and  work  for  the  other  members?  We  want 
all  young  men  who  are  church  members  to  come  to 
the  front  and  stand  behind  those  who  are  joining. 

Inform  the  pastor,  teacher  or  myself  as  to  your 
decision  for  February  6th,  by  next  Sunday,  if  pos- 
sible, and  I  shall  pray  that  you  may  choose  aright. 
Your  friend, 

Frank  L.   Brown, 

Superintendent.^ 


(h)     Children's  Day  appeal. 

(From  pastor  and  superintendents.) 

BuSHWiCK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Bible  School 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Friend: 

The  season's  work  in  the  Bible  School  is  fast 
drawing  to  a  close.  How  fitting  it  is  that  we  should 
observe  the  great  celebration  called  Children's  Day. 
And  what  an  opportunity  this  affords  for  one  to  make 
the  public  confession  of  Christ.  This  year  Chil- 
dren's Day  will  be  on  June  i6th. 

What  has  been  the  aim  of  our  teaching  and  study 
during  the  year  ?  Surely  to  bring  the  Lord  Jesus,  in 
all  His  life  power,  before  our  members  and  to  bring 
all,  who  have  not  yet  decided,  to  a  clear  and  definite 
decision  for  Him.    And  this  brings  us  to  another 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  149 

important  question,  "  What  is  my  relation  to  Christ 
to-day?" 

After  a  year  of  study  we  shall  solemnly  meditate 
and  pray  over  this  question.  So,  as  your  pastor  and 
superintendents,  we  now  appeal  to  you  to  consider 
the  claim  of  Christ  in  your  life  and  to  make  the  full 
surrender  of  yourself  to  Him.  You  must  feel  that 
our  appeal  is  for  the  most  important  decision  in  life. 
And  after  we  have  surrendered  ourselves  to  Him, 
we  should  unite  with  His  Church.  Opportunity  for 
this  public  confession  will  be  given  on  Children's 
Sunday  morning. 

How  solemn  are  our  obligations  and  how  wonder- 
ful are  our  privileges  in  Christ.  We  are,  in  Christian 
affection, 

your  Pastor  and  Superintendents, 
George  E.  Bishop, 
Frank  L.   Brown, 
Harry  G.  Simpson. 


(i)     From  a  judge  to  the  young  men. 
A  Message  from  Judge  Lewis  L.  Fawcett 

{A  former  Scholar  and  Teacher  of  the  School) 

To  the  Young  Men  of  the  Bushwick  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Sunday  School: 

To  the  thinking  man  there  can  be  only  one  decision 
— and  that  for  God.  The  Christian  life  is  the  only 
one  worth  while.  It  is  the  only  one  that  counts.  It 
carries  with  it  from  its  very  inception  success  and 
life's  best.  It  enables  one  to  live  effectively  and 
grandly.  It  affords  the  only  genuine  happiness, 
peace  of  soul  and  contentment  of  mind.  Your  serv- 
ice will  bring  to  each  young  man,  who  has  not  already 


150    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

declared  for  Christ,  an  opportunity  which  he  should 
not  let  pass  like  a  sunbeam. 

On  the  decision  of  Christian  faith  depends  the  suc- 
cess and  completeness  of  life  here  and  the  blessedness 
of  eternal  life  hereafter.  May  each  young  man  rec- 
ognize the  heavenly  privilege  that  "Now  is  the  ac- 
cepted time  and  the  day  of  salvation"  and  accept 
Christ  as  he  enters  upon  the  threshold  of  life.  It 
will  be  his  best  step  in  life. 


(/)     After  Decision  Day  letter. 

(From  the  superintendents.) 

Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Dear  Friend: 

You  have  signed  a  declaration  of  independ- 
ence. God  will  help  you  carry  out  this  independence, 
for  He  says  (Psalm  32:8),  "I  will  instruct  thee 
and  teach  thee  in  the  way  which  thou  shalt  go :  I  will 
guide  thee  with  mine  eye." 

Do  not  worry  for  your  life ;  get  all  the  encourage- 
men  out  of  it  you  can,  for  Saint  Paul  says,  "  Christ 
Jesus  came  into  the  v/orld  to  save  sinners ;  of  whom 
I  am  chief."  As  he  leaned  on  the  Saviour  and  lived 
a  glorious  life,  so  can  we. 

If  you  are  troubled  about  anything,  go  to  your 
teacher  or  superintendent,  and  all  sympathy  will  be 
yours.  Now  that  Jesus  has  found  you,  tell  others  the 
story. 

May  you — as  Jesus  did  when  a  boy,  increase  in 
wisdom  and  stature,  and  in  favour  with  God  and 
man.  Very  lovingly  yours, 

Your  Superintendents, 

Edw.   R.  Longstreth, 
Robert  P.  Field. 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  151 

3.    To  Parents  of  Scholars 
(a)     Palm  Sunday  letter. 

(From  the  superintendent.) 

BusHWiCK  Avenue-Central 
Methodist  Episcopal  Bible  School 

"  No  life  is  a  failure  zvhich  is  lived 
for  God,  and  all  lives  are  failures 
which  are  lived  for  any  other  end." 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
To  the  Parents  of  Members  of  Our  Sunday 
School  : 

Dear  Friend — The  pastor,  officers  and  teachers  of 
the  Sunday  School  desire  your  cooperation  in  making 
Palm  Sunday,  March  31st,  an  Acknowledgment  Day 
for  those  who  desire  to  follow  Jesus  Christ  their 
Saviour  and  will  make  Him  the  King  of  their  lives. 
We  have  given  each  member  of  the  school,  for  signa- 
ture, a  card  like  one  of  the  enclosed  to  be  used,  if  a 
church  member,  in  making  a  fuller  consecration  than 
ever  before  to  His  service ;  or  as  a  first  acknowledg- 
ment of  Christ's  Kingship  over  their  lives  to  those 
who  have  not  before  confessed  Him.  Will  you  not 
advise  with  your  child  or  children  about  this  impor- 
tant step?  And  if  you  have  not  yourself  taken  this 
step,  will  you  not  sign  the  card  for  yourself  as  the 
beginning  of  a  new  life  with  and  for  Christ,  dating 
from  this  Palm  Sunday  ? 

On  Easter  Day,  morning  and  evening,  many 
scholars  and  friends  will  join  the  church.  We  invite 
you  earnestly  to  take  this  step,  if  not  already  taken, 
as  an  acknowledgment  of  your  purpose  to  love  and 
serve  your  King.  What  more  important  step  could 
be  taken  for  yourself  or  your  child  ? 
Yours  cordially, 

Frank  L.  Brown, 

Superintendent, 


152    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

4.     Pledge  Forms 
( (j: )     Teacher^ s  daily  prayer  remembrance  of  scholars. 


H)unt)as  Centre  /iDetboDist  SunDag 
Scbool 


"  The  effectual  fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man 
availeth  much,"— James  f:i6. 


It  is  desirable  that  each  member  of  your  class  should  be  re- 
membered by  you  in  prayer  at  least  once  a  week,  and  for  the  sake  of 
convenience  and  the  hope  that  it  may  serve  as  a  constant  reminder, 
this  card  is  presented  with  the  kind  wishes  of  the  Superintendent. 

Write  the  name  of  your  scholars  in  the  blank  spaces  below.  If 
you  have  fewer  names  than  spaces,  repeat,  or  add  the  names  of  Pastor, 
Superintendent  or  other  members  of  the  school.  If  more  names  than 
spaces,  write  two  or  more  names  in  each  space. 


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Sunday  Night 

Monday    Morning 

Monday   Night 

Tuesday  Morning 

Tuesday  Night 

Wednesday   Morning 

Wednesday  Night 

....Thursday   Morning 

Thursday  Night 

Friday  Morning 

Friday  Night 

Saturday  Morning 

Saturday  Night 

Sunday   Morning 


And  this  is  the  confidence  we  have  in  Him,  that  if 
we  ask  anything  according  to  His  will.  He  heareth 
us. — ;  John  j  .-  14. 

And  all  things  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  in  prayer, 
believing,  ye  shall  receive. — Mali.  21  .-22. 


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Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  153 

(  ^  )    Personal  Worker* s  Pledge, 

No.  29. 

A  PLEDGE  TO  PERSONAL  WORK 

I ,  do  hereby  promise  that  I  will  select 

for  my  personal  care  one  person  who  is  not  a  professing  Chris- 
tian ;  that  once  each  day  I  will  pray  for  my  friend's  salvation ; 
that  I  will  try  to  live  in  such  a  way  as  to  set  an  example  of 
proper  Christian  living ;  that  I  will  endeavour  to  bring  my 
friend  to  the  services  of  the  Church,  that  if  he  or  she  be  absent 
I  will  call  attention  to  the  absence ;  that  I  will  seek  an  oppor- 
tunity to  let  my  friend  know  that  I  am  concerned  about  his  01* 
her  salvation ;  and  that  my  efforts  for  my  friend  shall  continue 
for  six  months  if  necessary. 


PERSONAL  WORKER'S  VOW 

In  harmony  with  thousands  who  have  made  a 
similar  pledge,  I  covenant  to  make  a  list  of  the  un- 
converted members  of  my  Sunday  School  Class,  to 
whom  I  will  speak  and  for  whose  conversion  I  will 
work  and  pray. 

Name 

DaU Address 

School 


(  ^  )     Report  blank  teacher  to  pastor. 

Hedding-  Methodist  Sunday  School, 
Elmira,  New  York 
Report  Blank  for  Pastor,  Junior  and   Senior  Grades 
Teacher Date ,     190 


Names  of 
Scholars  not 
Members  of 

the  Church 

Street 

and 

Number 

*  Christians 

»  Desire  to 

Become 
Christians 

»Will 
Unite  on 
Probation 

»  Previously 
Baptized 

*  Please  answer  by  "  Yes  "  or  "  No."     If  more  extended  answers 
are  required  for  any  special  cases,  write  them  on  the  back  of  this  sheet. 


J  54    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

( </  )     Decision  pledge  forms. 


**  The  Master  is  come,  and  calleth  for  thee.*' 

I  am  already  a  professing  Christian,  but  I  want  to  be  a 
more  loyal  and  earnest  one,  and  on  this  Decision  Day  I  do 
reconsecrate  myself  to  my  Master,  Jesus  Christ,  and  prom- 
ise Him  that  I  will  try  to  be  more  faithful  to  every  duty  of 
my  Chiistian  life. 


**  Choose  yo«  this  day,  whom  ye  will  serve*** 

I  am  not  yet  a  professing  Christian,  but  I  know  I  ought 
to  be  one,  and  I  desire  to  be  one,  and  on  this  Decision  Day 
I  do  accept  Jesus  Christ  as  my  personal  Saviour,  and  prom- 
ise Him  that  I  will  try  to  live  a  faithful  Christian  life. 


AddresS" 


Decision  Day 

I  HAVE  joined  with  others  to-day  in  expressing  my  need 
of  living  closer  to  my  Master,  of  putting  out  of  my  life 
the  things  that  are  hindering  my  best  service  for  Him,  of 
opening  my  heart  more  fully  to  the  incoming  of  His  Holy 
Spirit,  and  of  yielding  my  life  more  completely  to  His  guid- 
ance and  service.  I  prayerfully  ask  His  help  in  these  things. 


Decision  Day 

I  KNOW  that  Jesus  Christ  died  for  my  sins,  and  has  asked 
me  to  accept  Him  as  my  loving  Saviour.  I  know  that 
He  wishes  all  who  love  and  accept  Him  to  do  this  publicly 
before  others,  and  so,  looking  to  Him  for  strength,  I  have 
joined  with  others  to-day  in  deciding  to  accept  Him  as  my 
Saviour. 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  155 


CONSECRATION 

Belxeving  that  Jesus  Christ  died  to  redeem  me  from 
sin,  and  that  He  lives  to-day  as  my  Saviour,  I  con- 
secrate myself  anew  to  His  service,  and  promise  to 
serve  Him  faithfiilly  throughout  my  whole  life. 

Name 

Residence  

Teacher  

Palm  Sunday,  1910 


KING  JESUS  WANTS  YOU  AS 
HIS  SUBJECT 

I  this  day  acknowledge  Jesus  Christ,  who  died 
to  redeem  me  from  sin,  as  my  Saviour,  and  I  prom- 
ise that,  with  His  help,  I  will  serve  Him  throughout 
my  whole  life  as  a  loyal  subject  should  serve  a  King. 

Name 

Residence 

Teacher 

Palm  Sunday,  1910 


156     Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 


MY  CONFESSION 

Believing  that  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God  died  to 
redeem  me  from  sin  and  that  He  lives  to-day  as  my 
Saviour  and  loves  me,  I  give  myself  to  Him  and  do 
this  day  decide  to  show  my  love  to  Him  by  hence- 
forth following  Him,  earnestly  endeavouring  with 
His  help  to  lead  a  faithful  Christian  Life. 

Name  

Residence , 

Teacher Date 


Why  should  I  be  a  Christian  ?  Because  Christ  "  loved 
me  and  gave  Himself  up  for  me." — Gal.  2  :  20. 

Why  should  I  be  a  Christian  now  ?  Because  **  Now 
is  the  accepted  time ;  behold  now  is  the  day  of  salva- 
tion."— 2  Cor.  6  :  2. 

How  can  I  become  a  Christian  ?  **  Believe  on  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  thou  shaltbe  saved." — Acts  16  :jl. 

1  desire  to  be  a  Christian  and  want  whatever  help  may 
be  given  me. 

Name 

Address 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards 


157 


THIS  DO  IN  REMEMBRANCE  OF  ME 

Jesus  calls  us  o'er  the  tumult 
Of  our  life's  wild  restless  sea ; 
Day  by  day  His  sweet  voice  calletb. 
Saying,  "  Christian,  follow  me." 

I  desire  to  acknowledge  Christ  as  my  Saviour, 
Lord  and  King,  and  to  enter  the  fellowship  of  the 
Bushwick  Avenue-Central  M.  E.  Church,  on  Easter 
Day,  March  27,  19 10. 

Nam& 


Address, 


Bushwick  Avenue-Central  Methodist 
Episcopal  Bible  School 
Dear  Friend : 

We  are  deeply  interested  in  your  life  success.  We  feel 
that  this  success  and  your  eternal  happiness  depend  upon  your 
decision  to  follow  Christ.  Destiny  may  pivot  upon  the  decision 
of  TO*  DAY.  Will  you  thoughtfully  read  the  headings  of  the 
columns  below  and  place  a  mark  X  in  those  which  express  your 
standing  or  decision  and  return  this  to  your  teacher  who  will 
hand  to  me,  and  oblige, 

Affectionately, 

Supt. 


Please  write  jour 
name  here  : 

I 

I  am  a 
Chris- 
tian 

2 

I  am  not 
a    Chris- 
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3 

I  want 
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4 
I  asi  the 

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Chris- 
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pray  for  mj. 

self  that  I 

may  be  a 

Christian 

Teacher^s  name  : 

If  you  have  not  already  decided  that  you  will  be  a  Christian  and  are 
willing  to  decide  NOW,  please  sign  your  name  here. 


158    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 


Tfwsting  in  Christ  as  my  Saviour,  I  cove- 
nant with  Him  to  be  His  true  disciple. 

Name 

Address 


REPENT 


God  now 
repent. 

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commandeth  all  men  everywhere  to 
Acts  17  :  30. 


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I  desire  to  accept 
Jesus  Christ  as  my 
Lord  and  Saviour. 

Name : 


Date: 


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BELIEVE 


This  is  the  work  of  God 
Him  whom  He  hath  sent, 


that   ye   believe   on 
John  6  :  29. 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards 


159 


IP  A  CHRISTIAN 

Will  you  decide  to  live  in  closer  touch  with  j     . 
Christ  ?  J 

Will   you   remember   in   your  prayers  the  ">     . 
Pastor,  Officers,  Teachers  and  Scholars  ?  / 

Name 


COMRADES  OP  THE  CROSS 

Comrades'  Pledge— Luke  9  :  33. 

Receiving  Christ  as  my  personal  Saviour  I  covenant  with 
Him  to  be  His  obedient  disciple. 

Name  of  Comrade 

Address 

Are  You  a  Church  Member? 

Date 

Put  thii  card  in  your  Bible  for  future   reference. 


E 

u 

g 

•a 
1 

DECISION  CARD 

T 
1- 

Having  an  earnest  desire  to  be  saved 
from  my  sins,  I  do  now  receive  Jesus 
Christ  to  be  my  Lord  and  Saviour, 
and  I  will  endeavour  by  His  help 
henceforth  to  live  a  Christian  life. 

RETAIN  THIS 

u 

_J 

l6o    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 


FIRST  CONG-REGATIONAL.  OHUROH 
Sunday  School 


DECISION  DAY 


I  accept  Jesus  Christ  as  my  Saviour: 

I  desire  to  be  known  as  one  of  His  followers; 

I  will  try  to  live  a  Christian  life. 


Name 

Address. 


Baptist  Sunday  Sohool,  Yarmouth,  Maine 

MY  DECISION 

Freely   acknowledging   my  sin,   and   believing  that 

there  is  no  other  Saviour 

I  Accept  Jesus  Christ  Nov^ 
This  means  that  I   intend,  with  His  help,  to  confess 

Him  fully,  and  obey  all  His  commands. 


Name. 


Baptist  Sunday  School,  Varmouth-ville,  Maine. 


MY  DECISION 

Believing  that  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  is  the 
Saviour  of  the  World,  and  that  no  other  name  is 
given  under  heaven  among  men  by  which  I  may  be 
saved,  and  further 

Realizing  that  I  am  a  sinner  and  cannot  save  myself, 
I  do  now  decide  to  accept  Jesus  Christ  as  my  Sa* 
viour,  to  begin  a  Christian  life  and  to  unite  with  the 
Church  of  God. 

Name 

Address 

Teacher 


'■Him  that  Cometh  to  Me  J  will  in  no  wise  cast  out 


Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  161 


KIND  FRIEND: 

We  believe  men  cannot  make  the  best  possible  of  themselves 
apart  from  the  religion  of  Christ.  Time  is  short.  We  stand  in  the 
presence  of  eternity.  This  is  an  invitation  to  identify  yourself  more 
closely  with  Christ,  your  Redeemer.  In  the  treatment  of  this  card  you 
may  determine  your  eternal  destiny.  It  invites  you  to  sign  the  follow- 
ing resolutions  : 

I.  I  will  search  the  Scriptures. 

3.  I  will  pray  for  myself  and  not  be  ashamed  of  religion. 

3.  I  will  regularly  attend  divine  worship. 


Name 

Residence., 


N.  B. — In  case  you  cannot  agree  to  all  of  the  above  resolutions, 
scratch  those  out  you  do  not  wish  to  adopt. 


FREE  BAPTIST  BIBLE  SOHOOI 


ACKNOWLEDGMENT  CARD 


"TTitst  that  nth  mt  tarly  ihall  find  m#." — Prov.  8 117. 

I  do  acknowledge  Jesus  Christ  as  my  Saviour.    It  is  my  honest 
purpose  to  serve  Him  all  my  life. 

Scholar's  Name 

Teacher's  Name 

Date 


Frank  Whitall  Smith,  a  son  of  Hannah  Whitall  Smith,  the  well-known 
author,  died  while  a  student  at  Princeton.  After  his  death,  a  card  was 
found  among  his  papers,  upon  which  was  written  the  following 

COVENANT 

I  take  God  to  be  my  Father. 

I  take  Jesus  Christ  to  be  my  Saviour. 

I  take  the  Holy  Spirit  to  be  my  Guide. 

I  take  the  Bible  to  be  the  rule  of  my  life. 

I  take  Christian  people  to  be  my  associates. 

I  take  Christian  work  to  be  my  duty. 

I  likewise  dedicate  myself  to  the  Lord,  and  this  I  do  freely,  deliberately, 
sincerely  and  forever. 

Name 

Address 

Church  Preference 

Are  you  a  Church  member  here? Elsewhere  ? 

This  card  will  be  returned  to  you  after  it  is  recorded. 


i62    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 


I  Decide  That  I  Will  Henceforth  Lead  a 
Christian  Life 

"For  the  Lord   God  will  help  me." — Isaiah  JO  :  7. 

Name 

Street 

Church  or  Pastor  Preferred 

Special  Remarks 

Usher's  Name 


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Use  of  Letters  and  Cards  163 


Decision  Covenant 

I  do  acknowledge  Jesus  Christ  as  my  Saviour.     It   is 
my  honest  purpose  to  serve  Him  all  my  life. 

Scholar's  Name 

Address 

Teacher's  Name 


Decision  Covenant 

I  earnestly  desire  to  live  a  Christian  life,  I  do  now  ac- 
cept Jesus  Christ  as  my  Saviour  and  Lord.  I  will  trust 
Him  and  try  to  live  for  Him  every  day. 

Scholar's  Name 


Address , 


(<?)     Church  membership. 


PETITION  FOR  MEMBERSHIP        Ij 

IN   THE CHURCH    S  \ 


^  3 


OF 

To  the  Pastor  and  Officers : 

Believing  that  the  Big  Word  j»  3 

"WHOSOEVER" 

in  John  j  :  i6  is  big  enough  to  Include  Me,  I  desire  to  confess  Christ  as  ■<  3. 
my  personal  Saviour,  and  to  try,  by  His  Grace  and  Help,  to  live  a  o^ "» 
Christian  life.  I  therefore  here  and  now  request  membership  in  your  ^  0 
Church.  3-2. 

By 5| 

Profession  of  Faith  or  by  Letter.  ^  3 

t^ant' |,j- 

Datt.„, igt Street  Address 3o 


164    Plani  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 
(/)     Christian  census  form. 


Name • 

Street  Address 

Date Are  you  a  Christian? 

How  long  have  you  been  a  Christian  ? - 

(Years) 

Are  you  a  Church  Member  ? 

Of  what  Church  are  you  a  Member? 

If  not  a  Christian,  do  you  decide  to  become  one  now  ? 

With  whom  would  you  like  to  talk  about  this  very  important 

decision  ? 

"  For  whosoever  shall  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord 
shall  be  saved." — Rom.  10  :  i }. 


(  ^  )     Decision  and  service. 


What  Am  I  Willing  to  Do  to  Make  Myself 
and  the  World  Better  ? 

Teaching  Service. 

Larger  Missionary  Giving. 

Decision  to  be  a  Christian. 

Decision  to  join  the  Church. 

One  new  member  for  school  by  November  ist. 

One  daily  Kindly  deed  for  others. 

Some  daily  self-denial  for  Christ. 

Daily  prayw  for  the  Kingdom. 

Some  word  spoken  to  an  unconverted  person. 

Attendance  at  the  League  or  Church  prayer  service. 

Daily  reading  of  the  Bible. 

Put  an  X  opposite  as  many  of  these  as  possible,  making 
duplicate  card  for  your  keeping. 


XI 

BEFORE    DECISION    DAY 

THE  success  of  Decision  Day  will  de- 
pend upon  adequate  preparation  for  it. 
That  preparation  has  to  do  with  the 
parents,  the  teacher  and  the  school.  In  pre- 
vious chapters  the  work  of  preparation  has  been 
emphasized  from  the  standpoint  of  the  pastor, 
superintendent,  teacher,  the  home  and  com- 
munity. 

The  real  preparation  for  an  effective  Decision 
Day  goes  back  further  than  the  week  or  month 
immediately  preceding  the  day.  It  is  found  in 
the  school  spirit,  atmosphere  and  evident  pur- 
pose that  characterizes  the  whole  swing  of  the 
school.  That  sort  of  school  will  break  through 
at  unexpected  times  into  Decision  Days  of  the 
best  character. 

We  shall  here  sum  up  the  general  preparation 
for  the  day  and  will  present  experiences  of  indi- 
vidual schools  in  getting  ready  for  the  day. 

I.    General  Plans 
(a)     One  month  plan. 

The  Illinois  Sunday  School  Association  out- 
lined a  plan  of  four  weeks  of  preparation. 

165 


i66    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

(1)  Begin  a  full  month  before  the  date  set 
for  Decision  Day  with  a  meeting  of  officers  and 
teachers  for  prayer,  immediately  before  or  after 
school.  Time,  fifteen  minutes;  superintendent 
announces  the  date  to  be  observed  as  Decision 
Day;  read,  or  better  still,  distribute  slips  with 
suggestions  for  prayer  and  work,  and  urge  all 
to  unite  heartily  in  carrying  out  the  proposed 
plan.  Spend  remaining  ten  minutes  in  brief 
prayers  for  God's  guidance  in  every  detail,  and 
for  His  blessing  upon  the  efiforts  to  be  put  forth. 

(2)  Teachers  pray  every  day  for  each 
scholar  by  name;  also  pray  for  every  member 
of  their  home  circle,  especially  for  the  fathers 
and  mothers ;  also  pray  for  God's  blessing  upon 
the  entire  school  and  community,  and  upon  this 
united  effort  to  win  the  scholars  for  Christ. 
Pastor  and  Sunday  School  officers  pray  for  each 
other  by  name,  and  for  the  other  objects  men- 
tioned above. 

(3)  Each  week  the  school  and  the  work  of 
decision  should  be  made  the  object  of  prayer  at 
the  mid-week  prayer  service,  and  all  Christians 
should  be  asked  to  remember  daily  in  their  per- 
sonal and  family  prayers  this  effort  to  bring 
God's  blessing  to  the  hearts  of  the  children  and 
the  homes  of  the  community. 

(4)  Let  the  pastor  preach  a  series  of  ser- 
mons on  three  Sabbaths,  including  Decision 
Day.     First,  on  the  Sunday  School,  its  oppor- 


Before  Decision  Day  167 

tunities  and  possibilities ;  to  arouse  and  help  the 
teachers  and  to  enlist  the  cooperation  of  all 
church  members.  Second,  on  the  home;  to 
awaken  careless  parents,  encourage  faithful 
ones,  and  to  show  how  the  Sunday  School  and 
the  home  can  work  together  for  the  children's 
highest  good.  Third,  on  God's  love  for  the 
children,  His  unwillingness  that  "  one  of  these 
little  ones  should  perish,"  and  our  duty  to  bring 
them  to  Christ,  the  children's  Friend. 

(5)  Observe  each  Lord's  Day  the  prayer 
and  conference  plan  for  teachers  suggested 
above.  Bring  into  this  prayer  circle  some  spe- 
cial cases  of  scholars  or  homes  to  give  concrete- 
ness  to  the  prayers. 

(6)  Three  weeks  before  Decision  Day  let 
each  teacher  write  a  personal  letter  to  each 
scholar,  telling  of  Decision  Day  and  expressing 
a  desire  that  every  member  of  the  class  shall 
accept  Christ  at  once  and  openly  confess  Him 
on  that  day,  and  if  possible  invite  all  to  a  class 
prayer-meeting. 

(7)  Two  weeks  before  Decision  Day  write 
a  personal  letter  to  the  mothers  of  your  scholars 
to  enlist  their  sympathy  and,  if  possible,  their 
cooperation,  in  your  efforts  to  lead  your  schol- 
ars to  Christ.  Send  these  letters  home  by  the 
scholars  or  mail  them. 

(8)  Visit  the  home,  invite  the  parents  to 
come   to   church   on   the   Sabbath   the   pastor 


1 68    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

preaches  on  the  home.  Seek  to  secure  the 
mother's  sympathy  and  help  make  her  feel  that 
she  and  you  are  workers  together  with  each 
other  and  with  God  for  the  child's  highest  good. 
Pray  much  before  you  make  this  visit. 

(b)     One  week  plan. 

The  same  association  suggests  the  following 
for  a  one  week's  preparation  for  Decision  Day : 

First  consult  the  pastor,  and  secure  coopera- 
tion of  the  entire  church.  If  he  shall  desire  to 
hold  special  meetings  for  that  week  have  the 
Sunday  School  officers  and  teachers  heartily 
support  the  plan.  In  any  case  ask  the  pastor  to 
preach  the  Sunday  morning  preceding  Decision 
Day  to  church  members  and  parents  on  God's 
love  for  the  children  and  Christ  the  children's 
Friend;  also  to  devote  the  mid-week  prayer 
service  to  prayer  for  Sunday  School  teachers 
and  their  work. 

Whatever  else  is  attempted,  carry  out  the 
following  suggestions  in  every  school:  (1)  Let 
the  superintendent  call  a  meeting  of  all  officers 
and  teachers  for  that  Sabbath,  unfold  to  them 
his  plans,  secure  their  cooperation,  and  give 
them  some  leaflet  bearing  upon  Decision  Day. 
(2)  Agree  upon  a  definite  hour  of  each  day  dur- 
ing which  every  officer  and  teacher  shall  pray 
for  ten  minutes  for  God's  blessing  upon  the  en- 
tire school.     (3)  Urge  your  teachers  to  pray 


Before  Decision  Day  169 

for  each  other  and  for  the  officers ;  and  the  offi- 
cers to  pray  for  each  other  and  the  teachers. 
(4)  Appoint  a  twenty-minute  prayer-meeting 
for  Decision  Day  Sabbath,  to  immediately  pre- 
cede the  school  hour  (or  if  school  be  held  at 
noon,  immediately  preceding  the  morning 
church  service),  and  request  all  to  be  present 
on  time.  (5)  Ask  each  teacher  during  the 
week  to  visit,  if  possible,  or  write  a  personal 
note  to,  absent  scholars  requesting  their  attend- 
ance at  Sunday  School  the  following  Sabbath. 

(c)     Some  other  plans. 

At  the  North  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Allegheny,  Pa.,  a  variety  of  plans 
have  been  attempted. 

One  year  Decision  Day  was  held  at  the  con- 
clusion of  a  two  weeks'  service  by  the  pastor. 
The  superintendent  had  urged  every  teacher  to 
see  his  scholars  individually  during  those  two 
weeks  and  this  was  done.  During  the  two  weeks 
there  had  been  four  special  prayer  services  of 
teachers  led  by  the  superintendent,  two  during 
the  week  and  two  following  the  Sunday  School 
services.  The  pastor  led  the  decision  service. 
Seventy  names  were  given  in  as  those  who  de- 
sired to  be  Christians.  Most  of  these  joined 
the  church.  A  significant  thing  was  that  the 
attendance  on  Decision  Day  was  877  and  on  the 
previous  Sunday  827. 


170    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Another  year  a  similar  plan  was  followed,  the 
adult  teachers  writing  letters  to  their  members 
in  the  large  classes  where  it  was  difficult  to  get 
in  the  calls.  The  Sunday  before  Decision  Day 
pledge  cards  were  distributed  which  the  schol- 
ars were  asked  to  take  home  and  sign  after 
thought  and  prayer.  At  the  bottom  of  the  card 
was  a  place  to  indicate  if  they  desired  to  join  the 
church,  the  parents'  consent  being  necessary 
where  the  children  were  in  the  elementary 
grades.  On  Decision  Day  the  school  came  to- 
gether for  a  short  session,  the  departments  be- 
low the  Senior  were  gathered  together  for  a 
talk  by  the  pastor  while  the  seniors  held  a  sepa- 
rate service  led  by  one  of  the  superintendents. 
The  results  were  that  seventy-five  of  the  schol- 
ars gave  themselves  to  Christ  and  joined  the 
church.  In  one  class  of  young  ladies  every  one 
who  was  not  a  Christian  arose  when  the  invita- 
tion was  given  and  went  to  the  altar.  Many 
of  the  young  men  who  were  Christians  agreed 
to  pray  for  those  who  were  not. 

Another  year  immediately  after  Rally  Day 
the  superintendent  began  to  call  the  attention 
of  the  teachers  to  the  Decision  Day  service, 
which  was  set  for  January  on  the  Sunday  when 
occurred  the  Uniform  lesson,  "  Jesus  and  Nico- 
demus :  the  New  Birth."  He  asked  the  teachers 
to  pray  for  the  coming  day  and  to  impress  the 
points  of  the  lessons  which  taught  the  necessity 


Before  Decision  Day  171 

of  a  definite  decision ;  consulted  with  the  pastor 
so  that  lessons,  church  work  and  sermons  led 
up  to  the  decision  thought;  talked  with  the 
other  officers  about  the  program  for  the  day, 
music  and  addresses,  until  the  whole  body  of 
workers  became  intensely  interested. 

Several  weeks  in  advance  of  the  day  each 
teacher  was  given  a  blank  form  and  asked  to 
write  the  name  and  address  of  each  scholar  not 
a  Christian.  Then  a  meeting  was  called  of  all 
the  teachers  who  had  unconverted  scholars  in 
their  classes,  and  the  best  means  of  reaching 
them  discussed.  The  teachers  were  asked  to 
pray  for  these  scholars  and  to  speak  to  them 
personally  about  becoming  Christians.  Every 
Christian  in  the  school  was  urged  to  speak  to  a 
neighbour  who  was  not  a  Christian  concerning 
decision. 

For  several  weeks  half  of  the  hour  of  the 
weekly  teachers'  meeting  was  given  to  prayer 
and  earnest  talks  by  the  superintendent  about 
God's  call  to  the  work  and  the  failure  of  any 
teacher  who  does  not  make  the  salvation  of 
souls  a  chief  objective.  The  pastor  took  this 
subject  for  the  weekly  prayer-meeting,  quoting 
from  the  Scriptures  regarding  the  children  and 
young  people.  He  urged  testimony  from  those 
who  had  begun  the  Christian  life  in  their  youth. 

In  the  Dundas  Centre  Methodist  Sunday 
School  of  London,  Ontario,  Decision  Day  came 


172    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

at  the  close  of  three  weeks  of  special  services. 
On  the  Sunday  previous  a  teachers'  prayer- 
meeting  was  held  before  the  school  assembled 
and  the  teachers  were  prepared  for  personal 
conversation  with  their  classes  upon  the  neces- 
sity for  immediate  decision  for  Christ.  Cards 
were  given  out  in  the  classes  to  all  who  were 
not  already  acknowledged  Christians,  with  the 
request  that  they  make  the  matter  of  decision  a 
subject  of  daily  prayer  for  the  week,  and  return 
the  cards  on  Decision  Day  whether  signed  or 
unsigned.  There  were  two  kinds  of  cards :  one 
for  adults,  in  which  was  a  request  to  be  united 
with  some  branch  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
one  for  juniors,  which  contained  a  covenant  to 
be  signed  by  parent  or  guardian  who  would 
agree  to  assist  the  child  to  keep  the  decision 
made. 

On  Decision  Day  the  teaching  of  the  lesson 
was  again  taken  up,  in  a  personal  way,  for  a 
short  time,  and  the  cards  were  collected.  Then 
the  pastor  took  charge  of  the  school.  He  talked 
for  a  short  time.  A  season  of  prayer  followed. 
Then  a  hymn  was  sung,  during  which  the  pri- 
mary classes  retired  and  all  who  had  not  yet 
made  a  decision,  or  were  not  prepared  to  do  so 
that  day,  were  also  allowed  to  leave  the  room. 
The  great  majority  of  the  school  remained.  In 
this  after-meeting  the  pastor  pointed  out  the 
way  to  Christ,  and  especially  emphasized  the 


Before  Decision  Day  173 

necessity  to  (1)  accept  Him,  (2)  confess  Him, 
(3)  follow  Him.  The  session  then  closed  with 
some  short,  earnest  prayers  for  those  who  had 
decided  for  Christ  and  nearly  all  the  teachers 
participated.  Forty-two  cards  were  returned, 
sixteen  from  adults  and  twenty-six  signed  by 
juniors  and  by  guardians  or  parents  with  one 
exception. 


2.    Palm  Sunday  and  the  Lenten  Season 

In  Chapter  IX  we  have  noted  the  use  of  Palm 
Sunday  as  a  specially  favourable  time  for  Deci- 
sion Day.  There  is  very  much  to  be  said  for 
the  day,  as  it  precedes  Easter,  the  time  of  spir- 
itual, and  nature's,  awakening,  when  the 
thoughts  of  the  Christian  world  and  of  youth 
are  centered  upon  the  passion  and  the  cross  of 
Christ. 

The  use  of  Palm  Sunday  and  this  season  is 
helpful  too  because  of  its  favourable  nature  as  a 
preparatory  period  for  the  flowering  of  Easter 
Day. 

The  pastor  has  a  choice  selection  of  subjects, 
natural  to  the  period,  for  the  preparation  of  the 
church  and  school.  Each  of  the  Sundays  of 
Lent  should  be  utilized  in  preparing  for  a  life 
decision  on  the  part  of  the  unconverted,  in 
building  the  home  upon  a  more  spiritual  foun- 
dation and  for  a  greater  cultural  interest  in  the 


1 74    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

children,  and  of  deepening  the  life  of  the  Sun- 
day School  workers. 

In  this  Lenten  season  the  pastor  should  meet 
teachers  and  parents  in  separate  gatherings,  ex- 
plaining the  place  of  the  children  in  the  plan 
and  heart  of  Christ  and  the  necessity  of  homing 
them  in  the  membership  r.nd  life  of  the  church 
at  an  early  age. 

Provision  should  be  made  for  a  consecration 
meeting;  it  may  be  in  connection  w^ith  a  week- 
night  communion  service,  when  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per should  be  personalized  in  its  message.  One 
Brooklyn  pastor  brought  all  the  mothers  of  the 
enlisted  boys  together  for  communion  and 
prayer  for  their  sons.  Why  could  not  this  serv- 
ice be  used  for  mothers  and  fathers  in  the 
interest  of  the  Christian  decision  of  their  chil- 
dren and  their  own  consecration  to  higher 
ideals  of  Christian  life? 

It  is  a  time  too  when  the  pastor's,  teachers' 
and  parents'  personal  word  of  appeal  falls  on 
willing  hearts,  for  Palm  Sunday  and  Easter 
seem  to  be  God's  time  for  calling  His  children 
into  vital  relations  to  Himself. 

3.    A  Preparatory  "  School  of  Instruction  " 
While  it  is  customary  for  the  pastor  to  organ- 
ize a  class  of  candidates  for  church  membership 
following  Decision  Day  for  purposes  of  training 
in  the  meaning  and  requirements  of  church  re- 


Before  Decision  Day  175 

lation,  it  is  not  unusual  to  arrange  such  a  class 
in  advance  of  Decision  Day  in  order  to  prepare 
the  minds  of  the  young  people  for  an  intelligent 
decision.  And  yet  such  a  class  has  a  distinct 
place  and  value.  It  can  form  the  nucleus  of  the 
class  for  preparation  for  membership. 

A  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Spirit 
Lake,  Iowa,  Rev.  E.  Winslow  Brown,  has  con- 
ducted such  a  preparatory  class  for  the  week 
preceding  Decision  Day  for  several  years,  after- 
noon and  evening  meetings  being  held  daily  in 
order  that  scholars  of  different  ages  could  at- 
tend. One  year  his  topics  were  :  Sunday,  "  My 
Father  " ;  Monday,  "  My  Sins  " ;  Tuesday,  "  My 
Saviour";  Wednesday,  "My  Faith";  Thurs- 
day, "  My  Confession  ";  Friday,  "  My  Work  "; 
Saturday,  "  My  Church." 

4.  Preparing  a  "  Census  " 
The  plan  of  census  taking  in  the  Sunday 
School  preparatory  to  Decision  Day  is  obtain- 
ing favour.  It  is  the  businesslike  method  of 
working  in  the  light,  instead  of  the  dark,  of 
knowing  the  problem  which  has  to  be  solved, 
the  material  upon  which  the  work  and  prayer 
and  appeal  must  be  concentrated. 

In  the  Rhode  Island  Sunday  School  Associa- 
tion there  is  a  Census  and  Decision  Day  Com- 
mittee which  issues  the  call  for  the  observance 
of  these  days   by  the  schools  of  the  State,  ac- 


176    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

cording  to  the  usages  of  the  different  denomina- 
tions. The  purpose  as  announced  is  '*  to  record 
the  religious  standing  or  attitude  of  every  mem- 
ber of  your  Sunday  School  and  to  win  to  a 
Christian  decision  those  who  have  not  confessed 
Christ  or  identified  themselves  with  the 
Church." 

In  my  own  school  such  a  list  of  "  prospects  " 
to  be  cultivated  was  prepared  by  the  Spiritual 
Work  Committee  of  the  school  before  our  last 
Decision  Day.  This  list  furnished  a  basis  for 
definite  prayer  at  the  teachers'  gatherings;  it 
informs  pastor,  officers  and  teachers  of  the  ex- 
act nature  of  their  task;  it  becomes  a  list  to  be 
cultivated  by  carefully  prepared  letters. 

A  large  concern  in  Chicago,  that  does  an 
enormous  out-of-town  business,  makes  it  a 
practice  in  their  extension  of  business  to  go  to 
a  town,  make  up  a  list  of  those  who  are  not 
customers,  usually  from  the  telephone  direct- 
ory, and  then  every  five  weeks  to  direct  a  letter 
to  these  people  until  twenty-eight  communica- 
tions have  been  sent.  They  secure  most  of 
their  business  after  the  twentieth  letter.  Oh, 
for  some  such  business  enterprise  in  the  busi- 
ness of  soul  winning! 

Census  Sunday  should  be  appointed  three 
weeks  in  advance  of  Decision  Day.  Lists  of 
class  members  and  addresses  should  be  made 
up  by  the  secretary  for  each  teacher.     Space 


Before  Decision  Day  177 

should  be  left  opposite  each  name  to  indicate 
whether  church  member,  or  a  Christian  and 
not  a  church  member,  or  not  a  Christian  as  yet. 

Teachers  should  make  up  these  markings 
outside  of  the  class  session  if  possible,  so  that 
the  scholars  will  not  be  placed  in  the  position 
before  their  fellows  of  being  analyzed  and 
marked  up  or  down.  The  quiet  hunt  is  always 
best  in  such  work  and  unnecessary  opposition 
and  antagonism  should  not  be  invited  by  unwise 
methods  of  procedure.  Any  wise  teacher  can 
secure  what  is  wanted  without  trouble. 

The  results  will  go  to  the  Committee  on 
Evangelism  to  be  tabulated  in  book  or  card 
form,  so  that  the  spiritual  status  and  progress  of 
every  scholar  will  be  known.  This  committee 
is  the  spiritual  rating  or  credit  department  of 
the  school  and  their  concern  should  be  to  bring 
every  scholar  into  an  A-1  spiritual  marking  as 
to  life  and  service. 


5.    Preparation  of  Teachers 

In  the  "  one  month  "  and  "  one  week  "  and 
other  plans  above  suggested  the  importance  of 
the  preparation  of  the  teacher  by  prayer,  con- 
ferences, sermon  and  consecration  gatherings 
have  been  stressed. 

Reference  to  Chapter  X  will  prove  fruitful  in 
the   suggestion   of  letters   to   be   sent  to   the 


178    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

teacher  by  pastor  and  superintendent  before 
Decision  Day. 

Most  important  is  it  that  the  right  literature 
be  in  the  teacher's  hands,  such  as  "  My  Class 
for  Jesus,"  "  Little  Parishes  of  Eight,"  as  out- 
lined in  Chapter  XIV. 

The  teacher  should  know  specifically  what  is 
required  of  him  before,  on,  and  after,  Decision 
Day,  and  most  teachersl,  when  properly  in- 
formed, will  measure  up. 

Dr.  Howard  Agnew  Johnston,  of  New  York, 
called  his  teachers  together  for  a  preparatory 
Decision  Day  talk.  He  told  them  in  detail  what 
he  proposed  to  do  himself  and  what  he  wanted 
them  to  do.  He  said  that  he  wanted  the 
teachers  to  have  their  scholars  in  church  on  the 
morning  of  Decision  Day  with  as  many  parents 
as  possible.  He  then  proposed  to  preach  a  defi- 
nite sermon  on  the  important  matter  of  decid- 
ing for  Christ.  At  the  next  session  of  the 
school  he  expected  to  come  into  the  school  and 
invite  all  scholars  who  wanted  to  talk  with  him 
personally  about  the  matter  of  deciding  for 
Christ  to  remain  behind  after  the  close  of  the 
session.  He  asked  the  teachers  to  see  that 
those  scholars  who  were  serious-minded  re- 
mained. He  urged  that  the  teachers  point 
home  to  their  scholars  the  two  lessons  before 
Decision  Day,  these  lessons  being  specially  per- 
tinent to  their  relationship  to  Christ.    That  sort 


Before  Decision  Day  179 

of  presentation  by  an  interested  pastor  brings 
results. 

Mrs.  M.  G.  Kennedy  calls  attention  to  the 
word  Decision  as  having  its  root  in  the  old 
Latin  word  coedo,  to  cut,  cutting  off  from,  and 
away  from,  all  but  one  thing.  For  the  teacher, 
she  says,  "  Many  things  must  be  cut  off,  some 
right  and  pleasant,  some  perhaps  not  clearly 
right.  If  Decision  Day  shall  be  one  of  God's 
great  days  business  men  must  take  of  their  rest 
hours,  women  will  find  less  time  for  fancy  work, 
social  calls,  evening  amusements.  If  the  heart 
is  enlisted  there  will  be  notes  to  write,  calls  of 
a  different  sort  to  make,  Bibles  to  be  studied. 
There  will  be  an  added  sense  of  responsibiUty 
that  will  unfit  one  for  some  of  the  amusements 
heretofore  indulged  in.  There  will  be  wakeful 
hours  and  much  prayer.  There  will  be  fresh 
study,  from  perhaps  a  different  point  of  view,  of 
the  homes  of  your  pupils,  their  ancestry,  their 
habits,  their  temperaments,  their  companions, 
their  interests.  There  will  be  extra  teachers* 
meetings  to  attend." 

"  Psychology  and  pedagogy  will  have  their 
place,  but  the  chief  place  will  be  given  to  learn- 
ing how  to  capture  the  heart."  Said  a  great 
teacher,  "A  gold  key  is  useless  unless  it  fits 
the  wards  of  the  lock.  I  had  to  set  myself  in 
every  way  to  make  myself  into  a  wooden  key 
which  would  have  the  one  merit  of  a  key,  how- 


l8o    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

ever  common  it  might  look — the  merit  of  fitting 
the  lock  and  unlocking  the  minds  and  opening 
the  shut  chambers  of  the  heart  in  those  street 
boys  of  mine." 

In  the  weekly  teachers'  meeting,  or  in  special 
meetings  for  teachers  before  Decision  Day,  the 
superintendent  can  help  the  teacher  by  discuss- 
ing such  topics  as  "The  impression  that  lasts: 
am  I  aiming  for  it?  "  "  How  am  I  to  make  the 
pupils  feel  the  lesson  is  for  them  personally?  " 
"  How  can  we  make  the  spiritual  impression  on 
our  scholars?"  "The  spiritual  appeal;  how 
and  when  should  it  be  made?  "  "  Do  I  expect 
definite  results  from  my  work?  " 

6.    Preparation  of  Parents 
This  angle  has  been  treated  quite  fully  under 
Home  Cooperation  and  the  relationship  to  the 
parent    by    the    pastor,    superintendent    and 
teacher,  and  forms  of  letters  to  parents. 

Among  these  influences  that  shall  bring  the 
home  into  active  partnership  with  the  school  in 
its  spiritual  task  we  must  place  special  em- 
phasis upon  family  prayer,  the  face  to  face  talk 
with  the  parent  by  pastor  or  superintendent  or 
teacher,  the  value  of  the  letter  inclosing  helpful 
literature,  the  enlistment  of  the  parent  in  some 
department  of  the  school's  activities. 

7.    Preparation  of  the  Scholars 
(a)     See  that  the  atmosphere  of  the  school 


Before  Decision  Day  181 

Is  kept  such  as  will  recommend  the  Christian 
life  as  the  brightest,  best,  happiest,  most  neces- 
sary experience. 

(b)  For  some  weeks  in  advance  of  Decision 
Day  the  superintendent  or  pastor  should 
emphasize  in  bright  five  to  ten  minute  platform 
talks,  with  illustrations  within  the  compass  of 
the  experience  of  the  scholars,  the  great  topics, 
Sin,  Saviour  or  Salvation,  Repentance,  Faith. 

(c)  The  superintendent  should  see  that 
Scripture  selections,  the  music,  the  lesson  set- 
ting and  emphasis  for  several  weeks  before 
Decision  Day  shall  be  helpful  in  deepening  the 
impressions  that  shall  mature  in  a  decision  for 
Christ. 

(d)  Utilize  the  power  of  a  ten  minute  testi- 
mony service  following  the  lesson  before  Deci- 
sion Day.  Somehow  these  testimonies  from 
those  they  know  makes  religion  more  real  to 
the  scholars.  Reference  has  been  made  to  the 
twenty  minute  testimony  and  prayer  service 
which  always  follows  the  session  of  Mr.  Wana- 
maker's  school. 

(e)  Don't  spring  an  appeal  any  Sunday 
unless  an  approach  has  been  made  by  some 
incident,  song,  lesson,  some  natural  setting  for 
an  invitation  to  Christ.  It  will  not  be  found 
difHcult  to  discover  these  contacts  if  one  is 
living,  and  looking,  for  them. 

(/)     Promote  a  happy,  wholesome  anticipa- 


i82    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

tion  of  Decision  Day.  It  should  be  less  in  the 
nature  of  a  line  to  be  crossed,  and  more  of  the 
character  of  a  bright  culmination.  It  will  not 
of  course  be  in  the  nature  of  a  social  announce- 
ment but  rather  as  of  some  high  festival  of 
church  life  in  which  all  are  concerned  as  a 
matter  of  course.  It  will  not  be  fenced  off  as  a 
solemn  occasion  quite  apart  from  everything 
else,  but  interwoven  with  the  very  life  and  heart 
of  the  school. 

(g)  Guide  the  scholars'  reading.  Superin- 
tendent and  teacher  can  create  in  the  scholars* 
minds  the  right  ideals  to  assist  in  a  Christian 
decision  by  suggestion,  on  a  school  bulletin- 
board,  from  the  platform,  or  preferably  through 
the  teacher,  of  certain  books  of  a  character- 
making  sort.  Youth  is  the  time  of  suscepti- 
bility^ to  the  appeal  of  life  and  the  stories  of 
pure,  strong,  heroic  living  will  inevitably  create 
a  desire  to  imitate  such  lives,  just  as  certainly  as 
evil  reading  affects  choices  toward  low  levels. 
Such  books  as  Uganda's  "White  Man  at 
Work,"  "  The  Life  of  John  Paton  "  or  "  Liv- 
ingstone "  will  stimulate  a  boy  to  noble  think- 
ing. 

(h)  I  have  referred  to  "  instruction  classes  " 
to  be  conducted  by  the  pastor  previous  to 
Decision  Day.  These  classes  will  secure  better 
results  if  arranged  in  departmental  groups,  so 
that  the  instruction  can  be  properly  graded. 


Before  Decision  Day  183 

At  no  point  in  the  school  work  is  it  more  im- 
portant than  this  that  the  guidance  of  the  soul 
to  Christ  and  into  service  shall  be  simple,  clear, 
so  that  each  scholar  shall  say,  "  I  see,"  and 
shall  follow  gladly  the  revealed  Christ. 

The  cooperation  of  department  superintend- 
ents and  teachers  is  essential  to  encourage  at- 
tendance at  these  graded  classes.  Indeed  the 
pastor  must  lean  upon  some  of  these  helpers  in 
order  to  obtain  leaders  for  these  instruction 
classes. 


XII 

DECISION  DAY 

I.    Why  Decision  Day 

DECISION  DAY  is  not  a  matter  of 
choice  but  of  necessity  if  we  shall  not 
wrong  the  child.  We  must  give  the 
scholar  a  chance,  and,  as  homes  are  now  con- 
stituted, possibly  the  only  chance,  to  know  his 
personal  relationship  to  Christ  and  to  enter  the 
long  road  of  companionship  with,  and  service 
for,  his  Friend.  It  should  really  be  an  intro- 
duction day  when  the  pact  of  a  lifelong  friend- 
ship shall  be  consummated  and  the  real,  happy, 
satisfying,  expanding  life  shall  begin  with  Jesus 
Christ. 

Dr.  Mullins  says  that  the  day  is  important 
in  giving  outward  expression  to  discipleship 
wherever  it  exists;  that  we  should  lead  by  ex- 
planation rather  than  to  sweep  them  in  by  a 
freshet;  and  that  we  should  make  absolutely 
clear  what  is  desired  of  them. 

Dr.  E.  S.  Lewis  says  there  are  five  laws  which 
support  the  modern  method  of  Decision  Day. 

184 


Decision  Day  185 

7a)     The  taw  of  the  Harvest. 

"  There  is  a  time  to  sow  and  a  time  to  reap." 
There  is  a  time  to  instruct,  to  stimulate,  to 
deepen  thought,  to  awaken  the  imagination,  to 
train  the  will,  to  accumulate  facts,  to  form 
ideals;  but  there  comes  another  time;  a  time  for 
the  culmination  of  all  these  things  as  means 
converging  upon  a  common  end.  There  is  a 
time  for  gathering  up  all  these  forces  together 
in  one  supreme  act  of  the  will,  whereby  the 
general  choice  of  righteousness  is  made  for  life 
and  forever,  and  the  soul  is  given  to  God  in  an 
everlasting  covenant. 

(b)  The  Law  of  the  Individual, 

"  The  man  makes  the  decision,  and  the  deci- 
sion makes  the  man."  Every  device  that  facili- 
tates and  intensifies  decision  tends  powerfully 
toward  the  perfection  of  the  individual. 

(c)  The  Law  of  the  Spirit. 

We  live  and  move  and  have  our  being  in  a 
world  of  spirits.  We  are  spirits  and  God's 
Spirit  is  regnant  in  us.  He  seeks  us  and 
waits  to  cooperate  with  us  and  to  bring  our 
efforts  for  souls  to  their  lofty  ends.  This  is  the 
domain  of  prayer.  There  is  a  mighty  law 
whereby  we  may  commune  with  the  Spirit  and 
seek  His  infinite  aid  .  .  .  for  the  soul  of 
His  creation.    We  may  pray  for  Decision  Day. 


l86    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

(d)  The  Law  of  Influence. 

In  nothing  may  a  teacher's  influence  culmi- 
nate as  appropriately  as  in  soul  winning.  His 
real  work  and  his  greatest  success  lie  in  the 
silent,  constant,  loving,  potent  influence  that 
works  at  close  quarters  with  the  naked  soul  of 
his  pupil. 

(e)  The  Law  of  Example. 

When  one  soul  makes  a  decision  for  Christ 
every  other  within  its  reach  is  powerfully 
moved.  Nothing  seems  to  rouse  the  careless 
soul  like  this.  In  the  work  of  Decision  Day 
this  law  may  be  depended  upon  for  surprising 
aid.  By  the  example  of  one  shall  many  be 
made  righteous. 

2.  Origin  of  Decision  Day 
While  in  some  form  a  decision  day  in  the 
Sunday  School  has  always  existed  where  the 
church  was  alive  to  its  evangelistic  opportunity, 
the  day,  as  it  has  been  modernly  observed,  was, 
according  to  The  Sunday  School  Times,  incorpo- 
rated into  the  organized  Sunday  School  move- 
ment as  the  result  of  an  article  by  E.  F.  Wescott 
of  Newark,  N.  J.,  in  the  fall  of  1896  in  the  New 
Jersey  State  Sunday  School  Evangel,  under  the 
title  "  Decision  Day." 

This  article  opens:  "I  have  long  felt  im- 
pressed with  the  fact  that  we  are  missing  in  our 


Decision  Day  187 

united  Sunday  School  work  one  of  the  golden 
opportunities  for  gathering  the  children  com- 
mitted to  our  care  into  the  fold  of  our  Re- 
deemer, by  not  having  a  special  Sunday,  at  least 
once  in  each  quarter,  set  apart  and  recognized 
as  Decision  Day." 

This  article  was  written  by  Mr.  Wescott  at 
the  urgent  request  of  Dr.  George  W.  Bailey  of 
Philadelphia,  with  whom  Mr.  Wescott  con- 
ferred as  to  the  plan.  Dr.  Bailey  was  later 
chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
World's  Sunday  School  Association  and  through 
his  leaflets,  plans  and  spiritual  enthusiasm,  was 
a  leader  in  popularizing  the  Sunday  School 
Decision  Day  and  in  spreading  Sunday  School 
evangelism  around  the  world. 

The  article  printed  in  the  Evangel  was  copied 
into  The  Ohio  Sunday  School  Worker,  The  Aus- 
tralian  Sunday  School  Teacher,  The  Missouri  Sun- 
day School  Messenger  and  other  papers.  Thou- 
sands of  leaflets  were  distributed  at  Interna- 
tional, State  and  County  Conventions  to  bring 
about  a  quick  observance  of  the  day. 

3.  Time  for  Decision  Day 
A  Sunday  in  the  latter  part  of  January  or  the 
first  part  of  February  has  usually  been  selected 
in  order  to  fit  into  the  evangelistic  programs  of 
the  individual  churches  which  have  been  usually 
made  for  that  period.     There  has  been  increas- 


i88    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

ing  emphasis  upon  other  times  for  the  observ- 
ance of  the  day  because  of  the  close  relation  be- 
tween the  call  of  nature  and  the  call  of  the 
Spirit,  or  the  opportunity  afforded  by  church 
days  or  important  national  holidays. 

Such  opportunities  come  on  Rally  Day,  the 
Sunday  before  Thanksgiving,  the  last  Sunday 
of  the  year,  the  first  Sunday  in  the  New  Year, 
the  first  Sunday  in  Lent,  Palm  Sunday,  Chil- 
dren's Day. 

While  the  long  and  special  preparation  sug- 
gested in  these  chapters  for  Decision  Day  may 
not  be  made  for  the  use  of  these  special  days  for 
decisions  for  Christ,  there  is  good  reason  why 
three  or  four  days  a  few  months  apart  might 
well  be  chosen  for  an  appeal.  Such  a  distribu- 
tion might  fall  on  the  Sunday  before  Thanks- 
giving, a  Decision  Day  in  January,  Palm  Sun- 
day and  Children's  Day.  Indeed,  where  there 
is  a  monthly  reception  of  members,  the  appeal 
may  be  made  in  the  school  on  the  Sunday  before 
reception.  Any  time  when  a  pastor  or  teacher 
or  superintendent  sees  that  the  harvest  is  ripe, 
the  sickle  should  be  thrust  in  whether  that  be  a 
recognized  Decision  Day  or  not. 

4.    Other  Names  for  or  Forms  of  Decision  Day 

(a)     Crusaders'  Day, 

This  is  an  appeal  to  the  heroic,  especially  ap- 
plicable to  the  Junior  and  Intermediate  Depart- 


Decision  Day  189 

merits.  The  story  of  the  Crusaders  can  be  told, 
the  call  for  Christian  crusaders  to-day  empha- 
sized, some  appropriate  hymns  sung.  The  cross 
will  be  made  central  in  the  thinking  of  all,  and 
an  appeal  be  made  for  enhstment,  and  crusaders' 
cards  distributed. 


(b)  Acknowledgment  Day. 

Palm  Sunday  lends  itself  to  this  day.  It  was 
the  children  who  hailed  Christ  as  the  Messiah 
King.  It  was  they  who  prepared  the  way  for 
His  entrance  into  the  city.  Preparation  of  the 
heart  for  His  entrance  now — acknowledgment 
of  Him  as  the  King  over  the  life — these  form  a 
natural  plan  of  approach  in  appeal.  One  of  the 
form  cards  in  Chapter  X  relates  to  Acknowl- 
edgment Day.  And  the  fact  that  Easter  fol- 
lows gives  opportunity  for  open  acknowledg- 
ment through  church  membership. 

(c)  Enlistment  Day. 

The  patriotic  days  are  the  natural  times  for 
Enlistm.ent  Day.  The  country's  need,  the 
country's  call,  are  natural  corollaries  to  the  call 
of  Christ,  the  need  of  the  world,  the  challenge 
for  high  service.  With  such  a  call  there  should 
be  presented  the  special  lines  of  service  open  to 
those  enlisting.  Many  will  act,  where  the  con- 
fession of  the  lip  comes  not  so  easy. 


190    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

(d)     Witnessing  Day. 

This  is  sometimes  called  Confession  or  Testi- 
mony Day,  and  has  been  observed  in  many 
schools  with  success.  Palm  Sunday  may  well 
be  used  for  Witnessing  Day. 

The  purpose  of  Witnessing  Day  is  to  give 
expression  by  voice  to  decisions  previously 
made.  The  line  of  preparation  is  largely  similar 
to  that  suggested  for  Decision  Day,  the  dififer- 
ence  being  that  decisions  are  sought  for  through 
the  personal  work  of  the  teacher,  or  the  work  of 
superintendent  and  pastor,  before  Witnessing 
Day.  Some  schools,  however,  simply  change 
the  name  of  Decision  Day  to  Witness  Day,  us- 
ing the  same  general  methods  that  prevail  on 
Decision  Day. 

In  Mr.  W.  E.  Carpenter's  School  (First 
M.  E.)  at  Brazil,  Indiana,  after  four  weeks  of 
prayer  and  planning  by  the  teachers.  Witness- 
ing Day  was  observed.  Each  teacher  was  in- 
structed that  during  the  class  hour  each  class 
should  witness  for  Christ  with  the  teacher  as  a 
leader.  Many  of  the  scholars  in  all  the  classes 
gave  testimonies  in  the  class.  The  classes  then 
came  together  in  the  main  room  and  after  song 
and  prayer,  the  entire  school  was  asked  to  give 
personal  testimonies  for  Christ.  These  be- 
came general.  Entire  classes  gave  testimony 
of  their  love  for  Christ.  More  than  four  hun- 
dred personal  testimonies  were  thus  given.     At 


Decision  Day  19 1 

the  close  four  hundred  more  arose  as  their 
united  testimony  to  the  fact,  "  I  do  love  Jesus 
with  all  my  heart."  This  Witnessing  Day  in 
that  school  followed  Decision  Day. 

Witnessing  Day  gives  opportunity  for  all  to 
take  part.  The  testimonies  of  those  who  are 
Christians  will  often  help  others  to  decide  then 
and  there  for  Christ  so  that  decisions  may  well 
be  asked  for  at  the  close  of  such  a  testimony 
service. 

(e)     Forward  Step  Day. 

This  plan  is  not  generally  used  for  pupils 
under  twelve.  The  advantage  of  the  day  is 
that  it  is  for  both  Christians  and  non-Christians. 

In  Forward  Step  Day  the  general  services 
and  all  the  preliminaries  are  practically  the 
same  as  for  Decision  Day.  At  the  right  time 
in  the  service  pledge  cards  are  distributed  and 
everybody  is  asked  to  check  the  step  or  steps 
they  will  take  and  to  sign  his  name. 

Provision  can  be  made  on  the  card  for  deci- 
sions for  Christ  and  the  church.  It  is  not  neces- 
sary to  make  overmuch  explanation  of  these 
Forward  Steps,  for  they  speak  for  themselves 
if  printed  on  the  card.  The  following  are  some 
steps  actually  taken  by  young  people  at  a  For- 
ward Step  meeting. 

"  I  am  a  Christian  but  want  to  live  nearer  to 
God." 


192    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

"  My  Forward  Step  is  to  go  to  church  more 
regularly." 

"  I  mean  to  pray  more." 

"  I  will  read  my  Bible  every  day." 

"  I  will  study  my  Sunday  School  lesson  bet- 
ter." 

"  I  will  cut  out  the  cigarettes." 

"  I  will  stop  swearing." 

"  I  will  stop  reading  bad  books." 

"  I  want  to  be  a  Christian." 

"  I  have  decided  to  lead  a  Christian  life." 

"  I  want  to  unite  with  the  church." 

"  I  desire  to  give  my  whole  life  to  Christian 
service." 

Instead  of  cards  with  printed  suggested  For- 
ward Steps  to  be  checked,  blank  cards  could  be 
given  out  and  each  one  can  write  out  his  own 
Forward  Step  aided  by  a  few  suggestions  from 
the  platform. 

Great  blessings  have  followed  the  wise  ob- 
servance of  Forward  Step  Day.  Almost  every- 
body will  write  some  new  Forward  Step  when 
the  opportunity  is  given. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  emphasize  how  impor- 
tant is  the  follow  up  work  after  the  recording 
of  these  decisions  on  Forward  Step  Day.  The 
pastor,  superintendent  and  committee  should 
carefully  diagnose  the  cases  and  outline  the 
proper  treatment  for  each  case. 


Decision  Day  193 

5.  Decision  Day  Preaching  Service 
If  the  church  service  is  held  before  the  Sun- 
day School  Decision  Day  service  the  pastor  has 
opportunity  for  reaching  the  children  with  a 
special  ten  minute  talk  appropriate  to  the  day 
and  the  adults  as  well.  Joshua  24:15  is  sug- 
gestive of  possible  texts  for  that  service. 

The  parents  and  teachers  might  well  be  called 
to  the  front  at  the  conclusion  of  that  service 
for  consecration  and  prayer. 

The  evening  service  on  Decision  Day  should 
furnish  the  occasion  for  testimony  and  appeal 
to  those  who  had  not  come  to  a  decision  earlier 
in  the  day. 

6.  The  Young  People's  Service 
The  usual  Sunday  service  of  the  young  peo- 
ple's organization  is  likely  to  follow  the  Deci- 
sion Day  service  in  the  Sunday  School  and  can 
be  utilized  for  testimony,  consecration  and  de- 
cision. 

7.    Decision  Day  School  Program 
(a)     The    program    suggested    in    Decision 
Day  Leaflet  No.  1  International  Sunday  School 
Association  will  be  found  helpful. 

(1)  Every  effort  should  be  made  to  secure 
the  prompt  attendance  of  every  officer  and 
teacher  on  this  day. 

(2)  If  possible  arrange  for  a  special  prayer- 


194    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

meeting  preceding  the  opening  of  the  school. 
If  the  school  meets  at  noon  arrange  this  meet- 
ing before  the  church  service. 

(3)  Have  as  little  business  as  possible  and 
attend  to  it  in  the  early  part  of  the  session. 

(4)  During  the  opening  exercises  spend 
more  time  than  usual  in  prayer.  (Possibly  sev- 
eral short  prayers  by  different  teachers,  pre- 
viously notified,  would  be  better  than  one 
prayer  by  the  superintendent.) 

(5)  Great  care  should  be  taken  in  selecting 
the  songs.  Do  not  select  any  songs  that  are 
new  and  inappropriate. 

(6)  If  the  lesson  is  taught  by  the  teachers, 
let  them  take  less  time  than  usual.  Many 
schools  omit  the  lesson  entirely.  This  should 
be  the  teacher's  opportunity  for  making  a  spe- 
cial appeal  to  the  scholars. 

(7)  Let  the  pastor,  superintendent  or  some 
one  else  previously  chosen,  take  the  platform, 
and  according  to  the  custom  of  the  church,  in- 
vite the  scholars  publicly  to  accept  and  confess 
Christ.  Where  public  invitation  is  given  it  has 
been  found  to  be  wise  to  invite  the  boys  first,  as 
the  girls  will  usually  make  the  first  start  if  the 
invitation  is  general,  and  then  the  boys  dislike 
to  follow  them. 

(8)  Be  careful  to  secure  the  name  and  ad- 
dress of  each  one  who  makes  a  decision  for 
Christ.     A  meeting  of  all  such  scholars  at  the 


Decision  Day  195 

close  of  Sunday  School,  or  soon  thereafter,  is 
very  helpful. 

(9)  Where  confession  cards  are  used  some 
advise  giving  the  scholars  who  sign  them  copies 
to  take  home  with  them.  These  cards  should 
be  carefully  explained  from  the  platform,  and 
by  the  teacher  of  the  class,  before  they  are 
signed. 

(b)  Dr.  Jesse  L.  Hurlbut  has  outlined  the 
following  steps  for  the  Decision  Day  service : 

(1)  Let  all  the  teachers  be  assembled  for 
prayer  half  an  hour  before  the  school  opening. 
Urge  every  teacher  and  officer  to  be  present. 
Let  every  teacher  utter  a  brief  prayer  for  his 
own  class  and  for  the  school. 

(2)  Let  the  lesson  be  shortened  on  this  day 
but  never  entirely  omitted. 

(3)  Let  all  under  ten  be  dismissed  for  their 
own  appropriate  service. 

(4)  After  the  lesson  allow  some  time,  agreed 
upon  previously,  for  teachers  to  talk  to  their 
pupils  with  regard  to  immediate  consecration  to 
Christ  and  of  confession  of  Him. 

(5)  Let  the  pastor  make  an  appeal  for  deci- 
sion. This  should  not  be  emotional  or  exciting. 
Let  him  tell  no  pathetic  stories  and  call  forth 
no  tears.  Men  and  women  may  be  rightfully 
stirred  up,  but  not  children.  Let  the  decision 
be  made  calmly,  thoughtfully,  but  in  whatever 
outward  form  may  be  deemed  wisest. 


196    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

(6)  In  the  most  successful  Decision  Day 
service  that  I  ever  saw  the  teachers  arose  one 
by  one  and  gave  some  such  report  as  this: 
"  There  are  eight  scholars  in  my  class,  of  whom 
seven  are  present.  Three  are  already  members 
of  the  church,  and  three  others  have  to-day 
promised  to  become  Christians." 

(7)  Teachers  should  take  names  and  ad- 
dresses of  those  who  have  pledged  themselves 
to  the  service  of  Christ  and  give  these  to  the 
pastor.  Immediately  after  the  school  session 
these  young  people  should  be  met  by  the  pastor. 
Each  one  should  be  shepherded  until  he  is  re- 
ceived into  the  church. 

(c)  Among  some  successful  Decision  Day 
meetings  these  may  be  cited: 

At  the  Calvary  Baptist  Sunday  School  of 
Westerly,  R.  L,  the  usual  preparation  had  been 
made.  On  the  appointed  day,  after  the  lesson 
study  of  "  Jesus,  the  Bread  of  Life,"  the  pastor 
spoke  to  the  school,  exclusive  of  the  Primary 
Department,  emphasizing  Jesus'  welcome  to  all 
who  sought  eternal  life,  His  welcome  to  chil- 
dren as  well  as  to  adults,  the  long  years  of  serv- 
ice before  a  young  Christian,  Christ's  death  that 
we  might  have  eternal  life.  The  pastor  asked 
for  any  one,  young  or  old,  who  had  given  him- 
self to  Christ  and  was  sorry  for  it  to  arise  and 
say  so.  No  one  responded.  Then  he  asked  all 
who  wanted  to  love  and  serve  Christ  to  raise 


Decision  Day  197 

their  hands.  Every  boy  and  girl,  not  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church,  responded  to  this  challenge. 
Decision  cards  were  then  distributed,  and  were 
taken  home  to  have  the  matter  talked  over  with 
the  parents.  Nearly  all  of  the  scholars  brought 
these  cards  back  signed  the  following  Sunday. 

At  the  North  Avenue  Methodist  Episcopal 
Sunday  School,  Allegheny,  the  teachers  met 
for  a  twenty-minute  service  before  the  ses- 
sion. Appropriate  hymns  were  sung  in  the 
school  opening,  responsive  readings  and  special 
music  were  omitted  and  the  classes  went  di- 
rectly to  their  places.  The  teachers  were  asked 
to  press  the  necessity  for  a  real  relationship  to 
Jesus  as  Saviour  and  Friend.  The  classes  were 
given  fifteen  minutes,  then  called  into  the  main 
room,  where  the  pastor  and  superintendent 
each  made  short  addresses  pleading  with  young 
men  and  young  women,  boys  and  girls,  to  give 
themselves  to  God.  There  was  absolute  quiet, 
no  excitement;  then,  one  after  another,  sixty 
members  of  the  school  indicated  their  purpose 
to  begin  the  Christian  life.  Their  names  were 
taken  and  given  to  the  pastor.  Decision  Day 
in  this  school  is  not  the  end,  but  the  beginning, 
of  the  special  evangelistic  work  of  the  school. 

In  the  First  United  Brethren  Church,  Cham- 
bersburg,  Pa.,  nearly  every  teacher  was  present 
on  Decision  Day  at  9 :  15.  They  prayed  ear- 
nestly for  definite  decisions  by  each  one  in  their 


198    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

classes.  They  were  given  slips  for  distribution 
to  their  classes  at  the  appropriate  time.  After 
the  brief  lesson  a  soul-touching  song  was  sung, 
a  few  fervent  prayers  offered  by  teachers  and  a 
tender  appeal  made  by  the  pastor.  Then  all 
who  were  willing  to  make  a  decision  and  con- 
fess Christ  were  asked  to  stand.  Nearly  all 
who  signed  their  names  stood.  An  after  serv- 
ice of  these  and  their  teachers  became  a  time  of 
prayer  for  forgiveness  and  for  the  finding  of 
Christ  as  a  personal  Saviour.  At  three  o'clock 
that  day  the  pastor,  teachers  and  these  scholars 
met  for  special  instruction.  Nearly  all  united 
with  the  church  and  were  faithful. 

In  my  own  school  the  plan  has  been  varied. 
There  have  been  the  preliminary  meetings. 
The  personal  appeal  has  sometimes  been  made 
by  the  teacher  who  distributed  cards.  Some- 
times the  pastor  and  superintendent  have  made 
the  appeal  and  the  cards  have  been  signed  while 
silent  prayer  was  being  offered  by  the  Chris- 
tians present.  At  other  times  letters  have  been 
sent  during  the  previous  week,  enclosing  cards, 
and  these  cards  were  returned  on  Decision  Day. 
We  have  had  separate  departmental  services, 
and  the  senior  young  men  and  young  women 
have  had  separate  services.  We  have  again  in- 
vited the  young  people  forward  at  a  straight 
altar  service.  All  these  methods  have  proved 
fruitful.     The  results  with  us,  of  Decision  Day 


Decision  Day  199 

and  other  efforts,  is  an  annual  church  ingather- 
ing from  the  school  of  two  hundred  scholars. 

Rev.  Harold  Kennedy,  Philadelphia,  empha- 
sized the  use  of  the  Bible  itself  in  making  the 
appeal,  the  passages  being  read  by  the  leader  or 
distributed  in  slips  to  different  teachers.  For 
instance,  "  Whys  "  ("  Turn  ye,  for  why  will  ye 
die  "),  ("Why  should  ye  be  stricken  any  more," 
etc.),  or  "How  longs"  ("How  long  halt  ye," 
etc.),  "Excuses,"  "Hindrances,"  and  the  like 
are  impressive  for  this  purpose. 

8.  Departmental  Decision  Day  Appeals 
The  necessity  for  grading  the  evangelistic  ap- 
peal in  the  Sunday  School  has  been  suggested 
in  a  previous  chapter.  What  forms  of  appeal 
can  be  suggested  for  the  varying  ages  and  ex- 
perience? 

(a)     Primary  Department. 

In  this  department  it  is  not  advisable  to  call 
upon  the  children  to  forsake  a  life  of  sin  and 
choose  to  serve  the  Lord.  Here  the  affections 
should  be  trained.  We  must  develop  love  for 
God  and  for  others.  "  It  is  a  period  of  impres- 
sion and  the  impression  is  made  by  the  atmos- 
phere in  the  school  and  the  personality  of  the 
teacher." 

The  spiritual  atmosphere  of  Decision  Day  is 
sure  to  pervade  the  Primary  Department.     The 


200    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

preparation  for  Decision  Day  must  affect  the 
teachers  of  the  primary  grades. 

"  Florists  are  very  careful  not  to  force  the 
young  cutting.  A  cutting  from  a  pink  is  put 
into  damp  white  sand  without  a  particle  of  rich- 
ness in  it.  The  atmosphere  and  the  moisture 
about  its  base  are  sufficient.  The  young  and 
tender  roots  keep  constantly  reaching  out  after 
more  nourishment  and  after  a  time  it  has  a 
fine  root  development  which  will  support  the 
adult  life  of  the  plant.  Not  until  these  roots 
are  well  developed  is  the  plant  put  into  richer 
soil." 

Let  us  assume  the  purpose  of  the  primary 
children  to  love  and  serve  Christ,  and  help  them 
to  make  all  their  choices  in  view  of  this. 

Miss  Julia  H.  Johnston  tells  how  on  one  De- 
cision Day  the  teacher  of  a  small  primary  class 
gathered  the  children  about  her  in  a  circle  and 
took  pencil  and  paper  in  hand.  In  a  bright  but 
earnest  way  she  told  them  that  in  the  other 
room  they  were  keeping  Decision  Day;  that  it 
was  a  time  to  choose  and  that  the  teachers 
wished  their  scholars  to  choose  Jesus.  She  ex- 
plained what  it  meant  to  choose — to  take  one 
thing  and  leave  another — to  follow  one  leader 
and  not  another  who  went  in  the  opposite  direc- 
tion. She  said  that  Jesus  loved  every  one  in 
her  class  and  wanted  every  child  to  love,  trust 
and  follow  Him.     Each  one  was  invited  to  make 


Decision  Day  20l 

a  mark  on  the  paper  to  show  that  he  had  made 
his  choice.  Each  scholar  without  hesitation 
made  his  mark.  She  asked  for  how  long  the 
choice  was  made  and  they  said  at  once  "  Al- 
ways." Then  the  little  circle  stood  and  each 
child,  with  closed  eyes  and  folded  hands,  re- 
peated a  sentence  prayer  after  the  teacher,  ask- 
ing Jesus'  help.  And  these  children  later  re- 
membered these  decisions  in  the  things  they 
said  and  did. 

Particularly  would  this  plan  apply  to  the 
later  primary  years. 

(b)     Junior  Department.  . 

The  period  from  nine  to  twelve  or  thirteen, 
and  particularly  from  eleven  to  thirteen,  is  most 
fruitful  for  Christian  decision  and  there  must 
be  real  effort  to  have  every  junior  definitely 
choose  Christ  and  His  service  before  leaving 
the  department.  This  is  the  period  of  will 
training  and  we  must  not  simply  ask  them  to 
definitely  choose  to  love,  serve  and  obey  Christ, 
but  suggest  some  concrete  ways  in  which  this 
can  be  done,  because  the  junior  age  is  especially 
the  age  of  action. 

In  a  large  Junior  Department  in  a  Chicago 
school  Dr.  Polhemus  H.  Swift  states  that  on  the 
appointed  day  the  opening  exercises  were  made 
as  brief  as  possible.  A  short  period  was  given 
for  lesson  study.     This  lesson  was   especially 


202    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

adapted  to  the  program.  The  department  was 
called  to  order  and  the  pastor  took  charge. 
Some  spirited  and  spiritual  songs  were  sung. 
During  the  next  five  minutes  a  dozen  teachers 
prayed  pointedly  that  the  boys  and  girls  might 
choose  Christ  that  day.  Then  the  pastor  gave 
a  ten-minute  talk  on  the  text  "  What  then  shall 
I  do  with  Jesus?  "  Afterward  a  Decision  Cov- 
enant was  distributed  for  signature.  There 
was  perfect  silence  in  the  room  as  the  pastor 
asked,  "  How  many  teachers  will  covenant  with 
these  young  people  that,  if  they  will  decide  for 
Christ,  you  will  do  everything  in  your  power  to 
help  them  live  for  Him?"  Every  teacher  in 
the  room  arose  and  stood  with  bowed  head. 
Again  the  pastor  asked,  "  How  many  of  these 
boys  and  girls  have  made  the  decision  and 
signed  the  card  at  our  Friday  night  meeting?  " 
A  large  number  arose  and  stood  with  the 
teachers.  Again  the  pastor  spoke,  "  How  many 
would  like  to  respond  to  the  covenant  of  the 
teachers  and,  as  best  they  can,  accept  Jesus 
Christ  as  Saviour  and  Lord?"  A  large  num- 
ber were  on  their  feet  in  a  moment.  The  pas- 
tor explained  briefly  the  promise :  "  Him  that 
cometh  unto  me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out,"  and 
then  all  knelt  to  join  him  in  a  consecration 
prayer.  When  concluded  the  teachers  distrib- 
uted the  "  Decision  Covenant "  for  signature, 
and  all  were  asked  to  sign  it  who  purposed  to 


Decision  Day  203 

trust  Christ  and  live  for  Him  every  day  the  best 
they  could.  Sixty-four  cards  were  signed  that 
day  and  nearly  all  united  the  following  Sunday 
with  the  church. 

In  one  Junior  Department  in  Washington  the 
boys  and  girls  were  asked  by  the  superintendent 
to  write  their  personal  decisions.  Here  are 
some  of  them : 

"  I  do  not  think  I  have  been  acting  just  like  a 
Christian  but  I  will  try." 

"  I  intend  to  be  a  servant  of  God  my  remain- 
ing days,"  said  a  boy  who  united  with  the 
church  the  following  Sunday. 

"I  intend  to  be  a  Christian,  but  I  do  not 
know  whether  I  will  join  the  church.  I  will 
decide  that  after  a  while,"  wrote  a  boy  who  de- 
cided it  the  next  Sunday. 

Said  a  girl :  "  I  would  love  to  be  a  Christian, 
but  I  know  I  am  not  good  enough,  but  I  will  try 
to  be,  if  God  will  help  me." 

From  a  boy :  "  I  am  a  Christian  and  always 
will  be  one  whether  in  church  or  play.  I  am 
going  to  have  God  for  my  father  always." 

"  I  choose  this  day  to  serve  Christ,  and  to  do 
His  will  all  my  life,"  by  a  fine  lad  who  came  into 
the  church  at  once. 

(c)     Intermediate  Department. 
'     Carefully  select  the  music  for  Decision  Day. 
"Coronation,"   "Jesus,   Lover   of  My   Soul," 


204    Pl^"s  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

"Holy,  Holy,  Holy,  Lord  God  Almighty," 
"  Love  Divine,  All  Love  Excelling,"  will  create 
atmosphere  without  crowding  the  emotions  un- 
duly. Omit  from  opening  exercises  any  unim- 
portant notices.  Do  not  drill  in  new  music  that 
day.  For  the  Scripture  choose  such  as  Psalm 
51,  or  Isaiah  53,  or  part  of  John  14  or  15  or  16. 
Be  expeditious  with  class  markings  and  the 
offering. 

Then  have  brief  prayer  by  one  or  more 
teachers,  or  silent  prayer.  The  teachers  then 
can  take  the  classes  for  a  brief  time.  Pencil 
and  papers  can  be  distributed  and  each  scholar 
can  be  asked  to  write  his  idea  of  what  it  is  to  be 
a  Christian.  The  teacher  can  wisely  comment 
upon  some  of  these  replies  and  can  express  his 
earnest  wish  that  all  the  class  would  decide  to 
be  Christians  of  the  highest  type.  If  a  word  of 
Christian  experience  can  be  given  by  teacher  or 
scholar  it  will  help  greatly. 

These  slips  should  be  gathered  and  placed  in 
the  hands  of  the  pastor  or  superintendent  for 
use  in  the  service  or  upon  another  Sunday. 
The  pastor  should  then  show  briefly,  clearly, 
from  the  platform,  with  aid  of  blackboard  if  pos- 
sible, what  a  Christian  is  not  and  what  a  Chris- 
tian is.  Joshua's  great  Decision  Day  may  well 
be  emphasized  for  the  intermediates. 

Some  definite  expression  of  decision  should 
be  asked  for  by  card,  choosing  one  of  the  forms 


Decision  Day  205 

indicated  in  Chapter  X,  or  by  standing,  or  by 
coming  to  the  front  to  shake  hands  with  pastor 
and  superintendent  and  to  join  in  a  prayer  and 
a  verbal  pledge  of  allegiance  to  Jesus  Christ. 
The  names  of  all  taking  the  step  will  be  noted 
and  passed  on  to  the  pastor. 

It  is  a  most  serious  thing  for  an  intermediate 
scholar  to  fail  to  take  an  open  stand  for  Christ 
before  he  shall  leave  that  department.  The 
chances  are  all  against  his  making  that  decision 
later  on. 

(d)     The  Senior  Department. 

Much  the  same  form  of  service  can  be  used 
for  the  seniors  as  for  the  intermediates — as  to 
songs  and  the  teacher's  frank  talk,  and  a  class 
discussion  of  what  it  means  to  be  a  Christian — 
before  the  open  service. 

In  our  own  Senior  Decision  Day  services  we 
have  used  cards,  the  altar  service,  separate 
meetings  of  the  young  men  and  young  women. 
Always  the  talk  by  pastor,  superintendent  or 
other  speaker  has  been  most  carefully  prepared 
to  challenge  the  best  in  these  young  people  in 
view  of  the  death  and  call  of  Christ,  the  need  of 
the  world,  the  ideal  service  of  Jesus  Christ. 
One  Decision  Day  we  distributed  a  special  mes- 
sage from  Supreme  Court  Judge  Fawcett  (see 
Chapter  X),  a  former  scholar  and  teacher  in  the 
school,  calling  upon  the  young  people  to  openly 


2o6    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

commit    themselves    to    Christ.     These    chal- 
lenges always  bear  good  fruit. 

(e)     The  Parents*  Department. 

In  no  part  of  the  school  will  Decision  Day  be 
more  fruitful  than  in  the  parents'  classes.  The 
preliminaries  here  are  not  of  such  vital  conse- 
quence. It  is  important  though  that  there  be 
the  spirit  of  prayer,  of  seriousness  without  un- 
necessary gravity;  above  all  else  of  naturalness 
and  real  joy  in  Christ. 

This  is  a  choice  time  to  dwell  upon  the  im- 
portance of  the  parents*  decision  from  the 
standpoint  of  the  home  and  the  children,  of  the 
tremendous  valuer  of  example  and  Christian 
home  atmosphere  in  making  worth-while  char- 
acter in  the  children,  and  of  the  great  leverage 
of  the  parents'  "  Come  "  in  its  influence  upon 
the  child's  and  youth's  choices.  Prayer  by  the 
parents,  and  for  the  parents,  should  follow,  and 
decisions  should  then  and  there  be  asked  for 
while  bowing,  or  upon  bended  knee.  If  wisely 
handled  and  followed  up  these  parents'  classes 
can  be  won  almost  to  the  last  member  by  the 
right  teacher,  with  the  right  message  and  the 
right  life. 


XIII 

AFTER  DECISION  DAY 

"     A     FTER  the  new  birth  comes  the  new 

aJ^     life."    With  life  there  must  be  growth. 

X   JL   We   must   provide   for   this.     Young 

Christians  will  need  aid  in  the  development  of 

their  new  capacities. 

Dr.  Mullins  says  that  the  young  Christian 
needs: 

(a)  Sympathy.  He  spoke  of  a  young  con- 
vert who,  on  the  first  Sunday  after  conversion, 
sat  on  the  front  seat  of  the  church.  No  one 
said  anything  to  him.  The  next  Sunday  he  sat 
on  the  second  seat.  Still  no  attention.  Then 
he  sat  further  back.  Then  he  stayed  away  alto- 
gether. No  one  expressed  an  interest  in  him 
after  conversion.  The  lamb  struck  a  snow- 
drift and  perished. 

Dr.  Hatcher  shook  hands  with  the  child  who 
had  just  joined  the  church  and  said,  "  You  are 
the  youngest,  I  am  the  oldest,  member  of  the 
church."     That  child  never  forgot  this  word. 

(b)  He  needs  the  Christian  life  interpreted 
so  as  to  strengthen  assurance.  A  boy  found  a 
^earl  in  an  oyster  shell.     He  did  not  prize  it 

207 


2o8    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

until  the  jeweler  told  him  its  value  was  $75 
to  $100. 

(c)  He  needs  work.  His  Christian  fibre 
can  only  be  toughened  by  exercise  in  Christian 
service. 

Mrs.  M.  G.  Kennedy  emphasizes  the  follow- 
ing important  principles  in  dealing  with  young 
Christians : 

(a)  Do  not  expect,  nor  even  wish  for,  a 
grandmother's  religion. 

(h)  Do  not  make  your  own  experience  a 
model  nor  let  them  think  they  must  all  be  ex- 
actly alike,  as  if  moulded  in  a  pattern.  They 
are  not  peas  in  a  pod,  but  live  boys  and  girls, 
with  differing  temperaments  and  environments. 

(c)  Take  care  to  direct  your  teachings  to 
the  will.  Feelings  should  crystallize  into 
thoughts;  thoughts  into  action. 

(d)  Encourage  them  to  talk,  not  only  to 
you,  but  before  one  another.  But  let  this  talk 
be  natural.  Do  not  make  prigs  and  Pharisees 
out  of  them  by  forcing  them  to  talk  of  experi- 
ences they  have  not  had,  and  which,  as  boys 
and  girls,  you  should  not  wish  them  to  have. 

(e)  Teach  from  the  very  first  not  to  confuse 
the  beginning  of  Christian  life  with  the  con- 
tinuance of  it.  One  of  their  greatest  stum- 
bling-blocks will  be  their  own  disappointment 
at  finding  they  are  not  at  once  perfect.  They 
expected  to  be  so  very  good  all  of  the  time. 


After  Decision  Day  209 

Then  they  fall.  They  are  ashamed  and  dis- 
couraged; think  they  must  have  been  mistaken; 
they  cannot  be  Christians.  Lately  a  teacher 
asked,  "  Do  you  think  you  will  ever  get  mad 
again?"  A  chorus  of  "Oh,  no!"  Then  one 
girl  said  slowly,  "  I'm  dreadfully  afraid  I  shall." 
The  teacher  asked,  "What  do  you  think  you 
will  do  about  it?  "  "  I  know  I'll  be  sorry  right 
away,  and  I  should  think  Jesus  would  excuse 
me  and  help  me  to  try  again."  "  What  makes 
you  think  He  will?  "  "  Why,  our  baby's  ankles 
are  weak,  and  he  tumbles  down  at  every  little 
thing.  But  mother  doesn't  scold  him,  but  picks 
him  up  and  kisses  him,  and  holds  his  hand  while 
he  tries  again."  Can  you  have  better  theology 
or  a  clearer  understanding  than  that?  Charac- 
ter building  is  not  reached  in  an  hour  by  an  act 
of  decision  which  takes  but  a  moment.  But 
built  it  must  be.  Stone  by  stone  it  should  rise 
ever  upward. 

(f)  Teach  your  beginners  from  the  start 
not  to  depend  on  feeling.  In  beginning  the 
Christian  life  we  begin  a  lifelong,  an  eternity 
long,  friendship  with  Jesus  Christ.  Our  joy 
comes  from  an  increasing  appreciation  of  Him 
through  a  conscious  relation  to  Him,  and 
through  the  reactions  from  our  service  for  Him. 

What  methods  are  practicable  as  a  follow-up 
of  the  decision  of  the  scholar  that  he  may  be 
helped  forward  in  his  Christian  life? 


210    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

I.    For  Pastor  or  Superintendent  or  Both 

(a)  Have  the  scholar  sign  a  card  for  church 
membership.  These  Cc.rds  may  also  include  a 
confession  of  personal  faith  in,  and  loyalty  to 
Jesus  Christ.  Forms  of  these  cards  will  b 
found  in  Chapter  X.  Copies  of  these  cards 
should  be  furnished  the  scholar  to  be  kept  in 
his  Bible. 

(b)  Drive  for  the  joining  of  the  church  by 
parents  at  the  same  time  as  their  children.  This 
can  be  done  by  letter  but  preferably  by  a  per- 
sonal call,  for  there  are  objections  frequently 
raised  by  parents  as  to  their  children  coming 
into  the  church  which  must  be  met,  as  w^ell  as 
the  lining  up  of  the  parents  for  church  relation- 
ship and  a  Christian  home  atmosphere  for  the 
sake  of  both  children  and  parents. 

(c)  The  pastor  can  invite  scholars,  or  their 
parents,  to  his  home  for  an  individual  talk.  A 
Chicago  pastor  made  it  a  practice  to  invite  the 
children  to  his  home  on  their  way  home  from 
school,  setting  the  hour  from  four  to  five 
o'clock.  The  adults  he  met  in  the  evening. 
Such  a  plan,  if  wisely  followed,  will  secure  the 
intelligent  allegiance  of  practically  all  who  have 
been  moved  to  a  decision  for  Christ. 

(d)  Pastor  and  superintendent  can  unite  in 
a  letter  of  encouragement  to  the  new  disciple, 
to  be  mailed  shortly  after  Decision  Day.  That 
letter  may  include  some  practical  suggestions 


After  Decision  Day  21 1 

for  daily  Bible  reading  and  prayer,  can  invite  to 
a  personal  call  or  a  group  meeting,  and  can  en- 
close one  of  the  many  leaflets  suggested  in  the 
next  chapter. 

(e)  Arrange  for  a  Confession  Day  or  Wit- 
nessing Day.  This  should  succeed  Decision 
Day,  possibly  the  Sunday  after,  to  give  oppor- 
tunity for  a  public  stand  for  Christ  in  the  class 
or  before  the  school. 

One  of  the  things  that  should  be  urged  at 
such  meetings  is  to  follow  the  command  of  the 
Master,  "  Go  home  to  thy  friends  and  tell  them 
how  great  things  the  Lord  hath  done  for  thee.'* 
This  I  know  is  difficult  for  young  children,  espe- 
cially if  the  parents  are  not  sympathetic.  Mrs. 
Kennedy  tells  of  a  girl  of  twelve  who  said,  "  Oh, 
please,  not  to-day !  Let  me  wait  a  while  till 
maybe  they  can  see  for  themselves.  They 
won't  believe  it  to-day."  Said  the  teacher: 
"  Well,  suppose  we  let  Mark  5 :  19  answer  you." 
The  bright  head  drooped  over  the  book  for  a 
moment,  then  was  raised,  and  slowly  came  the 
decision :  "  He  wouldn't  say  that  if  He  wouldn't 
help,  would  He?  All  right.  I'll  do  it  before  I 
go  to  bed."  There  was  a  boy  of  fifteen  who, 
having  made  that  same  decision,  waited  till  two 
o'clock  in  the  morning  for  his  parents  to  come 
home  from  a  ball. 

Some  use  the  opportunity  of  Confession  or 
Witnessing  Day  for  the  signing  of  cards  rather 


'2 1 2    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

than  Decision  Day.  On  the  latter  day  a  for- 
ward step  may  be  taken  which  will  make  the 
signing  of  a  clear  expression  of  allegiance  to 
Christ  the  inevitable  second  step.  The  forms 
for  this  are  suggested  in  Chapter  X. 

(f)  The  pastor  should  organize  classes  for 
the  training  of  young  converts.  Reference  has 
been  made  to  these  classes  in  Chapter  V.  They 
should  be  graded.  He  may  need  assistants  for 
this  graded  work.  These  classes  may  be  tem- 
porary in  preparation  for  church  membership 
for  a  specific  day,  or  permanent,  if,  as  it  should 
be,  his  work  of  ingathering  is  continuous 
throughout  the  year. 

The  material  available  for  these  classes  is 
known  to  most  pastors.  It  could  include  some 
of  the  material  mentioned  in  the  next  chapter, 
such  as  "  Chapters  of  Blessing  and  Counsels  on 
the  Way  of  Life"  (Henderson);  "Proba- 
tioners' Handbook  "  (Hannan)  ;  "  Just  En- 
listed "  (Allen);  "Turning  Points"  (Asker- 
held)  ;  "  Preparation  for  Church  Membership  " 
(Gilbert)  ;  "  Children's  Meetings  "  (Lucy  Rider 
Meyer). 

These  meetings  should  be  held  at  a  time  con- 
venient for  the  young  people.  For  those  not  in 
high  schools  Friday  afternoon  is  desirable. 
For  high  school  students  Friday  evening  is  best. 
The  evening  is  best  for  those  in  business,  and 
the  early  afternoon  for  the  mothers.     Some- 


After  Decision  Day  213 

times  Sunday  afternoon  has  been  found  most 
desirable  for  these  special  classes. 

These  classes  should  deal  very  clearly  with 
the  practical  questions  which  arise  in  the  daily- 
Christian  life  as  well  as  those  that  come  in  con- 
nection with  becoming  a  member  of  the  church. 
Among  such  questions  may  be  these:  What  is 
it  to  be  a  Christian?  What  is  it  to  believe  on 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ?  Why  should  I  be  a 
Christian?  What  shall  I  do  on  becoming  a 
Christian?  How  may  I  lead  a  Christian  life? 
What  is  the  church,  its  sacraments,  duties  of 
church  members? 

(g)  A  personal  workers'  class  should  be  or- 
ganized. This  may  be  upon  a  different  basis 
than  the  class  in  preparation  for  membership. 
It  can  and  should  include  others  beside  con- 
verts. It  should  include  a  course  in  personal 
evangelism  such  as  suggested  in  "  Studies  for 
Personal  Workers  "  (Johnston)  ;  "  The  Secret 
of  Soul  Winning  "  (Shaw)  ;  "  The  Human  Ele- 
ment in  the  Making  of  a  Christian  "  (Conde) ; 
"  Personal  Work  and  the  Personal  Worker " 
(Shelton).  The  course  should  include  a  thor- 
ough drill  on  the  marking  and  use  of  the  Bible 
to  meet  the  questions  and  objections  that  are 
raised  in  hand-to-hand  work,  so  that  the  worker 
shall  be  "  thoroughly  furnished,  rightly  dividing 
the  word  of  truth." 

(h)     Organize    the    young    Christians    for 


214    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

church  attendance.  The  "  Go  -  to  -  Church 
Band  "  is  a  very  effective  organization  for  chil- 
dren and  young  people.  The  band  should  have 
a  reserved  place  in  the  church.  They  should 
be  given  some  part  in  the  service,  either  regu- 
larly or  occasionally.  The  pastor's  sermon,  his 
"  little  talk  "  or  his  big  talk,  should  have  them 
in  view.  Recognition  of  their  faithful  attend- 
ance should  be  publicly  made  at  the  year's  end 
by  some  appropriate  gift.  A  church  hymn- 
book  may  well  be  given  by  the  church  to  these 
young  people  and  certain  hymns  be  recited  by 
the  band  on  the  occasion  of  recognition. 

In  John  Wanamaker's  school  in  Philadelphia 
large  groups  of  the  Sunday  School  members  are 
seated  in  designated  places  in  the  gallery  and 
sing  their  hymns  as  a  part  of  the  church  service. 

(i)  The  teacher  must  be  the  pastor's  assist- 
ant in  counselling  with  the  convert,  in  reporting 
to  the  pastor  the  special  needs  of  the  scholar. 
There  may  be  a  conscious  or  unconscious  stray- 
ing of  the  life  that  the  pastor  should  check,  and 
can  check  frequently,  if  he  knows  of  it  in  time. 

Especially  can  the  teacher  help  in  directing 
the  daily  Bible  reading,  the  time  and  form  or 
the  content  of  prayer,  the  practical  forms  of 
daily  service  for  Christ.  Life  problems  will  be 
sure  to  come  to  the  fore  in  these  more  intimate 
talks  for  prayer  and  counsel  as  to  best  methods 
of  meeting  them. 


After  Decision  Day  2 1 5 

(j)  The  young-  Christian  must  be  enlisted 
in  some  service  organization.  The  first  impulse 
of  the  Christian  life  is  to  serve.  He  should  be 
given  a  chance  to  express  his  Christian  Hfe 
through  the  "  Win  One  Band,"  the  "  Sunshine 
Band,"  "  King's  Messengers,"  in  the  church, 
children's  and  young  people's  graded  organiza- 
tion, in  a  missionary  organization,  in  a  prayer 
circle  where  definite  prayer  is  offered  for  spe- 
cific cases.  His  Christian  life  must  grow 
through  this  exercise. 

Trumbull  says,  "  What  then  is  the  end  of  our 
Sunday  School  work?  Character  training  for 
service  in  the  extension  of  the  Kingdom." 

(k)  Plan  for  Service  Day.  This  may  be 
used  to  tie  up  the  young  people  to  some  imme- 
diate personal  or  school  or  church  service. 

One  Rally  Day  we  secured  a  large  number 
of  signatures  to  a  card  headed  "  My  fagot  for 
the  Rally  Day  Council  Fire."  The  card  I  have 
before  me  was  checked  by  the  scholar  signing 
it  at  no  less  than  six  of  the  seventeen  sugges- 
tions. 

1.  A  purpose  to  be  prompt  in  attendance. 

2.  Will  sing  as  a  soloist  or  secure  a  singer  for  spe- 

cial occasions. 

3.  Will  recite  or  secure  a  good  recitationist. 

4.  Will  assist  in  lettering,  or  artistic  work,  or  in 

decorations. 

5.  Will  take  Quarterly  home  and  endeavour  to  use 

it  at  least  fifteen  minutes  weekly. 


2l6    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

6.  Will  plan  to  read  daily  the  Daily  Bible  Home 

Reading. 

7.  Will  act  as  a  substitute  teacher  for  once  a  month 

service. 

8.  Will  serve  as  a  regular  teacher. 

9.  I  will  take  up  a  special  teacher  training  course. 

10.  Will  serve  as  a  school  worker. 

11.  I  will  decide  to  be  a  Christian. 

12.  I  will  decide  to  join  the  Church. 

13.  I  will  endeavour  to  secure  at  least  one  member 

for  Cradle  Roll  or  Home  Department,  or  some 
other  School  Department,  before  December  i, 
1910. 

14.  I  desire  to  enlist  for  a  life  service  as  a  missionary, 

minister,  or  some  other  form  of  definite  Chris- 
tian service. 

15.  I  will  endeavour  to  pray  daily  for  my  teacher,  the 

school,  and  for  the  salvation  of  the  world. 

16.  I  will  endeavour  each  day  to  pass  on  a  kindly 

word,  or  deed,  or  smile. 

17.  My  suggestion  for  improvement  of  the  school  or 

the  school  exercises. 


Name 

Address 

Class  No. 


(I)  Analyze  for  life  service.  The  call  of  the 
Church  in  this  day  is  for  a  large  number  of 
trained  workers  for  the  ministry,  the  mission 
fields,  and  many  forms  of  special  Christian  serv- 
ice. That  leadership  must  come  from  the  Sun- 
day School. 

The  pastor,  aided  by  a  proper  committee, 


After  Decision  Day  2 17 

must  analyze  the  material  in  the  school  and  se- 
lect for  Christian  instruction,  and  later  for  col- 
lege training  if  they  prove  out,  the  likeliest  of 
his  young  people.  In  the  future  work  of  the 
Church  these  young  people  must  be  picked,  the 
call  placed  before  them  and  their  training  di- 
rected. "  A  call  is  a  need  and  a  need  made 
known."  Instead  of  waiting  for  these  young 
people  to  volunteer  for  life  service,  the  Church 
must  lay  its  hands  upon  them  and  preempt 
them  for  the  Kingdom's  service  before  other 
callings  claim  their  decision. 

In  one  State  of  the  Union  it  was  the  custom 
on  service  day  for  the  college  to  send  its  stu- 
dents to  the  Sunday  Schools  to  talk  up  college 
training  as  the  way  for  largest  service,  and  the 
Sunday  School  to  send  representatives  to  the 
college  to  suggest  the  training  of  the  students 
for  specific  Sunday  School  service  as  a  worth- 
while objective. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  makes  it  a  practice 
to  present  to  the  Sunday  Schools  an  annual  ap- 
peal for  life  service  in  the  ministry  of  the 
church. 

I  know  that  many  of  the  young  people  in  the 
Sunday  School  will  not  be  in  position  to  select 
the  form  of  Christian  service  to  which  they  are 
best  adapted  until  they  have  entered  their  col- 
lege course.  It  is  important  for  their  sakes  and 
for  the  sake  of  the  work  to  prevent  misfits. 


2i8    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

This,  however,  is  the  task  of  the  church.  It 
should  not  be  difficult  for  competent  commit- 
tees to  discover  capacities  and  to  guide  their 
development.  And  we  know,  from  the  testi- 
mony of  many  Christian  workers,  that  the 
choices  which  determined  their  service  were 
made  in  their  early  teens  while  members  of  the 
Sunday  School,  and  that  practically  all  decisions 
for  Hfe  service  were  made  before  eighteen  years 
of  age. 


XIV 

LITERATURE   FOR   SUNDAY    SCHOOL 
EVANGELISM 

THE  Committee  on  Evangelism  would 
do  well  to  make  a  careful  selection 
from  the  lists  which  follow  for  a  per- 
manent library  on  Sunday  School  Evangelism, 
these  books  to  be  kept  in  circulation  by  the 
committee  with  pastor,  officers,  teachers  and 
parents  the  year  around.  This  plan  will  deepen 
and  conserve  the  school's  spiritual  atmosphere 
and  objectives  and  key  the  workers  and  parents 
for  the  best  doing  of  their  task. 

Certain  of  these  books  and  pamphlets  are 
adapted  for  circulation  during  the  vveek  or 
month  before  Decision  Day.  Some  of  them 
cover  the  needs  of  a  personal  worker's  class  or  a 
class  for  preparation  for  church  membership, 
these  classes  usually  following  Decision  Day. 

The  leaflets  may  be  enclosed  in  letters  to 
teachers  or  scholars  preceding  Decision  Day. 
The  wisely  written  and  wisely  used  leaflet  is  a 
powerful  adjunct  to  the  written  or  personal 
appeal. 

BOOKS 

General 

The  Sunday  School  as  a  Soul  Winner.    J.  L.  Hurl- 
but. 
Christ  and  the  Young  People.    Frances  E.  Qark. 

2x9 


220    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Sunset  by  the  Lakeside.    W.  H.  Foulkes^ 
Letters  on  EvangeHsm.     Hughes. 
Casting  the  Net  on  the  Right  Side.    McKinney.- 
The  Child's  ReUgious  Life.    Koons. 
Education  in  Religion  and  Morals.    Coe. 
The  Spiritual  Life.     Coe. 
Christian  Nurture.     Bushnell. 
[Educational  Evangelism.    McKinley. 
Natural  Way  in  Moral  Trailing.     Du  Bois. 
Passion  for  Souls.     Jowett. 
Spiritual  Life  in  the  Sunday  School.    Chapman. 
The  Child  for  Christ.    McKinney. 
The  Training  of  Children  in  Religion.     Hodges. 
The  Unfolding  Personality.    Mark. 
The  Sunday  School  at  Work  (Part  XI). 
The  Child  as  God's  Child.    C.  W.  Rischell. 
The  Meaning  of  Prayer.    Fosdick. 
Beckonings  of  Little  Hands.    Du  Bois. 
Pastoral  and  Personal  Evangelism.     Goodell. 
What  Every  Christian  Needs  to  Know.    H.  W.  Pope. 
The  One  to  Win  One  Helper.    Luther  Todd. 
The  Child  and  His  Religion.    Dawson. 
The  Century  of  the  Child.    Key. 
The  Coming  Generation.     Forbush. 
Practical  Evangelism.     Burgwin. 
Spiritual  Culture  and  Social  Service.    McFarland. 
The  Making  of  Character.    McCunn. 
The  Passion  for  Men.    Hallenbeck. 
The  Psychology  of  Religion.     Starbuck. 
Quiet  Talks  on  Prayer.    Gordon. 
Quiet  Talks  on  Power.     Gordon. 
Quiet  Talks  on  Service.     Gordon. 
Our  Children  for  Christ.  Scudder. 
Personal  Appeals  to  Sunday  School  Workers.  Joseph. 
The  Second  Line  of  Defense.     Slattery. 

For  the  Teacher 
How  Can  I  Lead  My  Pupils  to  Christ.    Pells 


Literature  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism    221 

Little  Parishes  of  Eight.     Merriam. 

Early    Conversion    of    Sunday    School     Scholars. 

Schauffler. 
My  Class  for  Jesus. 

Winning  Your  Scholars  to  Christ  and  the  Church. 
The  Devotional  Life  of  the  Sunday  School  Teacher. 

Miller. 
The  Devotional  Life  of  the  Sunday  School  Worker. 

Brewbaker. 
The  Life  that  Wins  (pamphlet).     Trumbull. 
The  Life  that  is  Christ  (pamphlet).     Trumbull. 
The  Life  in  Christ.     MuUins. 
Paul's  Joy  in  Christ.     Robertson. 
Secret  of  Power.    Moody. 
The  Unfolding  Life.     Lamoreaux. 
Unconscious  Tuition.    Huntington. 
A  Girl's  Religion.    Slattery. 
The  Graded  Lessons  and  Evangelism. 
Evangelistic  Opportunity  of  the  Graded  Lessons. 
Teaching  to  Save. 
Letters  on  Evangelism. 
The  Morning  Watch.     Mott. 

Bringing  the  Pupil  to  a  Decision  for  Christ.    Mabie. 
God's  Boy  and  God's  Book.     Schauffler. 
A  Boy's  Religion,    Hughes. 
Winning  the  Boy.     Merrill. 
Living  Teachers.     Slattery. 
The  Teacher  and  Child.     Mark. 
Some  Silent  Teachers.     Harrison. 
Method  in  Soul  Winning.    Mabie. 

Decision  Day  Leaflets  and  Pamphlets 
Best  Paying  Business  on  Earth  (International  Sun- 
day School  Association). 
What  Am  I  Asked  to  Do  on  Decision  Day?    J.  R. 

Miller  (Sunday  School  Times  Co.). 
That  Means  Me.    Henderson  (Methodist  Book  Con- 
cern). 


222    Plans  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism 

Will  You  Not  Come?    Havergal  (American  Tract 

Society). 
Spiritual  Work  in  the  Sunday  School  (New  Jersey 

State  Sunday  School  Association). 
wru    T  •      •    *t,    r-  11      ^  J*  Williams  Butcher,  Wes- 

WhyShouMn-tl.  |     i^XSTSdol' 

Yours.     F.  B,  Hoagland. 

Turning  Points.  Dr.  Osterheld  (Methodist  Book 
Concern). 

Decision  Day  and  How  to  Use  It  (Pilgrim  Press). 

Preservation  vs.  the  Rescue  of  the  Child.  McFar- 
land  (Methodist  Book  Concern). 

Decision  Day.  Henderson  (Methodist  Book  Con- 
cern). 

Decision  Day  in  the  Sunday  School.  Chapman  (Gen- 
eral Assembly  Presbyterian  Church). 

Decision  Day  in  the  Sunday  School.    H.  W.  Pope. 

A  Soul  Saving  Sunday  School.     Wells. 

Bringing  Pupils  to  a  Decision  for  Christ.     Mabie. 

Our  Children  for  Christ.  Scudder. 

The  Normal  Age  of  Conversion  (Methodist  Book 
Concern). 

Spiritual  Life  in  the  Sunday  School.  Downey 
(Methodist  Book  Concern). 

Books  Following  Decision  Day 
Becoming  a  Christian.    McAfee. 
Becoming  a  Church  Member.    McAfee. 
Becoming  a  Helper.     McAfee. 
Why  Join  the  Church.     David  C.  Cook. 
The   Church   and  Church  Membership.     David  C. 

Cook. 
Witness  Day  in  the  Sunday  School.     David  C.  Cook. 
The  Boy  and  the  Church.     Foster. 
First  Principles  for  Young  Christians.     Hannan. 
Preparation  for  Church  Membership.    Gilbert. 


Literature  for  Sunday  School  Evangelism    223 

Chapters  of  Blessing  and  Counsels  on  the  Way  of 

Life.    Henderson. 
Just  Enlisted.     Ernest  B.  Allen. 
Children's  Meetings.    Lucy  Rider  Meyer, 

Personal  Workers'  Group 
Individual  Work  for  Individuals.     Trumbull. 
Fundamentals  (Leaflet). 
Personal  Work  in  Soul  Winning  (Leaflet).     Men's 

Personal  Work  League. 
Fishin'  fer  Men.     Clark. 
Catching  Men  Alive.     Trumbull. 
The  Human  Element  in  the  Making  of  a  Christian. 

Conde. 
The  Art  of  Soul  Winning.     J.  W.  Mahood. 
Personal  Work  and  the  Personal  Worker.    Shelton. 
The  Personal  Worker's  Guide.     Chapman. 
Winning  One  at  a  Time.     Camp. 
The  Secret  of  Soul  Winning.     Shaw. 
Studies  for  Personal  Workers.     Johnston. 
The  Price  of  Winning  Souls.    Goodell. 
Studies  in  Personal  Work.     Johnston. 
How  to  Bring  Men  to  Christ.     Torrey. 
Evangelism  Through  Bible  Study.    Goo'dman. 
Lessons  for  Christian  Workers.    Yatman. 


"Decision  Day  and  Sunday-school  Evangelism  pamphlets 
and  leaflets  issued  by  the  Board  of  Sunday  Schools,  M.  E. 
Church,  58  East  Washington  St.,  Chicago,  111.,  and  by  the 
Sunday-school  Board,  M.  E.  Church  South,  8io  Broadway, 
Nashville,  Tenn."  v 

Prhmi  ht  the  United  Statet  efAmeriea 


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